Scott Michaels, age 11, of Helena, Mont., for his question:

HOW IS A BABY EAGLE CARED FOR?

Eagles lay few eggs. They hatch and rear only one or two young each year.

A newly hatched eagle chick is so weak that it cannot lift its head. The mother offers food repeatedly until finally the young begins to eat.

The baby's weight gain is rapid and if a second chick hatches in three or four days, the first already weighs three times as much as the sibling and may destroy it.

Baby eagles are seldom left alone. The mother feeds and broods them and the father provides the food for all. In many species the male broods and feeds the young if the female leaves the nest for a short period.

After three to five months the offspring has developed to adult size, grown feathers, learned to feed itself from the prey brought by the parents and made its first flight. Although it can fly, the young eagle remains near the nest. The parents come to the nest only to deliver prey. During this period the quills of the young bird harden and its strength increases. Between four and 12 months after hatching, the juvenile learns to catch its own prey and departs.