What does brooding refer to in relation to birds of prey?

Brooding in relation to birds of prey primarily refers to the behavior of adult birds sitting over their young. This action is crucial for the chicks' development as it provides warmth and protection during their early life stages. While brooding can occasionally involve aspects of incubating eggs, the term specifically emphasizes the nurturing of already hatched young birds by keeping them safe and regulating their body temperature through body heat.

In the broader context of avian behavior, nurturing young birds involves a variety of parental duties, such as feeding, protecting, and teaching them essential survival skills. The distinction of brooding from other activities, like guiding fledglings or hunting with them, is important as it underscores the specific role of physically providing care and shelter for the vulnerable chicks rather than actively engaging in training or feeding during flight.