Once you get coordinates from the completed trivia puzzle, you will
find parking very nearby -- the cache is hidden near the parking
area at Erie MetroParks’ Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle
Point. Because bald eagles nest here, some trails are periodically
closed so as not to disturb the eagle families. However, this
parking-area hide should be accessible whenever the park is open.
After the cache, feel free to explore the available trails while
respecting the areas designated off-limits.
The cache will be found at N 41° AA.BCD W 082° VV.XYZ
Now, for the quiz:
AA -- Who is larger: the male bald eagle, or the female?
If the male is larger, AA=24.
If the female is larger, AA=25.
B -- How many eggs are typically laid by an eagle
pair?
If only one egg is laid at a time, B=4.
If 2 or 3 eggs are normal, B=5.
If eagle eggs come in a dozen, B=6.
C -- After the eggs are laid, how long does it take
before they hatch?
If the eaglets hatch in one week, C=3.
If the eaglets hatch in 3 weeks, C=2.
If the eaglest hatch in 5 weeks, C=1.
D -- Who incubates the eggs and feeds the young
eaglets?
If the mother takes care of the eagle chicks, D=1.
If the father takes care of the eagle chicks, D=3.
If both parents raise the babies, D=5.
VV -- What is the Latin or scientific name for the bald
eagle?
If the Latin name is Cathartes aura, VV=37.
If the Latin name is Haliaeetus leucocephalus,
VV=38.
If the Latin name is Ornithorhynchus anatinus,
VV=39.
If the Latin name is Acer saccharinum, VV=40.
X -- Bald eagles often use the same nest year after year.
They add to it each year, making the nest larger and larger. How
much does an eagle’s nest weigh?
If the nest weighs around 20 pounds, X=2.
If the nest weighs around 100 pounds, X=3.
If the nest weighs around 500 pounds, X=4.
If the nest weighs around 2000 pounds, X=5.
Y -- Eagles learn to fly when they are about 12-14 weeks
old. Juvenile bald eagles are all brown and do not develop their
white head- and tailfeathers until they are fully mature. At what
age does the bald eagle reach maturity?
If an eagle is mature at 1 year, Y=6.
If an eagle is mature at 2-3 years, Y=7.
If an eagle is mature at 4-5 years, Y=8.
If an eagle is mature at 8-10 years, Y=9.
Z -- Many young eagles do not survive their first year,
in part because of their inexperience in hunting for food. However,
a bald eagle who makes it to the age of maturity is likely to have
a relatively long life. What is the life expectancy for a bald
eagle in the wild?
If an eagle lives about 10 years, Z=9.
If an eagle lives about 30 years, Z=8.
If an eagle lives about 50 years, Z=7.
If an eagle lives about 75 years, Z=6.
Hidden with permission of the Erie MetroParks in honor of their
40th anniversary.
Happy 40th, Erie
MetroParks!!