Crested eagles, also known as harpy eagles, have unique sleeping habits that distinguish them from other birds. They sleep standing on a tree branch with their heads tucked into their feathers, preserving warmth throughout the night. During breeding season and when incubating the egg, crested eagles can also lie down, tucking their heads in the wings to cover themselves from the cold.

Sleeping Locations of Crested Eagles

Crested eagles are not actively using their nests throughout the year, and they do not sleep in the nest. Instead, they perch on branches at night. The only time crested eagles are found sleeping in the nest is during the breeding season, where they either sleep very close to the nest or in the nest itself. When breeding season is over, crested eagles find a place that’s appropriate for them to sleep, which could be in a different location from where they slept during the breeding season.

Sleeping Positions of Crested Eagles

Image source: Long-crested eagle By Charles J. Sharp

Crested eagles sleep either standing up or lying down, with the estimated sleep time being 10 to 12 hours. However, they don’t sleep on a stretch as they remain on alert, and it isn’t certain if crested eagles experience unihemispheric sleep, where half the brain is awake and an eye is open, allowing them to immediately wake up at the sound of anything threatening.

Crested Eagles Gathering for Warmth in Winter

In winter, crested eagles gather in large numbers at overnight roost sites, which provide protection from the wind and are close to a food source. These roosting sites provide energy conservation and information sharing, as adult eagles spend the night in close proximity to each other, sharing body heat and fluffing up their feathers as insulation against freezing weather.

Unique Sleeping Habits of Crested Eagles

Crested eagles have unique sleeping habits that allow them to survive harsh weather conditions and maintain warmth throughout the night. They sleep standing up or lying down, with their heads tucked into their feathers, and gather in large numbers at overnight roost sites during winter to conserve energy and share body heat.

References:
– How Do Eagles Sleep?
– Bald Eagle FAQ
– Bald Eagles Weather Winter