It appears to be a season of focused parenting for Southwest Florida’s most famous bald eagle pair. M15 and F23 will officially be raising a brood of one this year, following the determination that their second egg is nonviable.
While the pair’s first eaglet, E26, hatched on schedule and is currently thriving, the window for the second egg has closed. The standard incubation period is roughly 35 days; however, day 40 passed on Christmas Day without a “pip” or sign of hatching.
Status of the Nest
Virginia Pritchett-McSpadden, founder of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, confirmed that it has become apparent there will be only one eaglet this season.
“We have mixed emotions because we were expecting that second eaglet,” Pritchett-McSpadden said. “Mother Nature must have had something else in store.”
While the specific cause of the egg’s failure—whether it was infertile or an issue occurred during incubation—remains unknown, the outcome for the existing eaglet, E26, is positive. With no sibling rivalry, E26 will receive 100% of the food and attention from both parents, creating a stable environment for growth.
As for the nonviable egg, Pritchett-McSpadden noted that the eagles will likely handle it instinctively by consuming it for protein, rolling it out of the nest, or burying it within the nesting material.
Looking Ahead: The “30-30-30” Cycle
This season marks the third consecutive year the nest has faced challenges, following issues with avian flu and egg breakage in previous years. However, the focus is now squarely on the development of E26.
Pritchett-McSpadden describes the development phases as the “30-30-30” timeline:
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First 30 Days: Rapid growth in height and weight.
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Next 30 Days: Physical changes, including the loss of down coating and the growth of flight feathers.
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Final 30 Days: “Branching” (hopping to branches), exercising wings, and preparing for flight.
E26 is expected to reach the size of its parents within six weeks and fledge sometime in March.
How to Watch
Viewers can follow E26’s journey live via the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, now in its 13th season. The site utilizes four different camera angles to capture every moment:
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Camera 1: Situated seven feet above the nest with night vision.
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Camera 2: A side-view angle at nest level.
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Camera 3: The first-ever live 360-degree camera in a nest tree, allowing viewers to click and drag for an immersive experience.
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Camera 4: A wider view capturing the pond and pasture area.
Live Feed Access
To watch the live stream and track E26’s progress, visit the official website: Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
