Special to The Bronx Chronicle
WASHINGTON, DC — Millions of people were glued to their computers and mobile devices this week watching dceaglecam.eagles.org and waiting for the eggs of “Mr. President” & “The First Lady” to hatch LIVE on the Washington D.C. Eagle Nest Cam.
After weeks inside their eggs, these two siblings finally meet! Photo courtesy of The American Eagle Foundation and the cooperative partners of the D.C. Eagle Cam.
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) and the cooperative partners of the project are proud to announce that there are now two healthy bald eaglets residing in the nest that sits high in a Tulip Poplar tree in the U.S. National Arboretum, right inside the Nation’s Capitol.
These adorable newborn eaglets, wobbly-headed and covered in fuzzy gray downy feathers, are stealing the hearts of Americans and international viewers alike.
The morning after “DC3” joined its parents and older sibling “DC2” (which hatched on Friday), nest-cam fans worldwide celebrated with great sighs of relief but are now probably wondering “what comes next?”
These newborn eaglets have unsteady legs and heads, won’t be able to fully generate their own body heat for the first several days, and will be extremely dependent on their parents for safety, food, and warmth.
This state of affairs will change fairly quickly though.
Over the next 12 weeks, these gray fuzzy eaglets will gradually grow into full-size juvenile eagles with all-brown plumage. They’ll still be dependent on mom and dad, but will begin to develop their eagle skills by feeding themselves (food provided by parents) and learning to use their wings through “wingersizing.” They’ll start to explore the edges of their nest and the surrounding branches, and between 12-14 weeks of age will take their first flights and make their ways into the world.
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