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Second bald eagle hatches at National Arboretum | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
On Saturday morning, one day after thousands of people gleefully watched a baby eagle hatch on live video, the bird’s sibling began to emerge from its own shell at the National Arboretum. | On Saturday morning, one day after thousands of people gleefully watched a baby eagle hatch on live video, the bird’s sibling began to emerge from its own shell at the National Arboretum. |
Watchers confirmed the first signs of a crack (known as a “pip” among the pros) just after 9 a.m., said Daniel Rauch, a wildlife biologist at the District’s Department of Energy and Environment. The bird fully hatched early Sunday, Rauch said. | |
Typically, the birds hatch 35 days after the egg is laid (in this one’s case, Feb. 14). The first eaglet shed its shell Friday, the exact day watchers had predicted. | |
Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the family patriarch — a prolific hunter named Mr. President — returned to their tulip poplar tree with a still-flapping fish for The First Lady and their gray, fluffy newborn. A cold rain began to fall minutes later, beading atop the mother’s sleek coat of brown feathers as the children remained covered beneath her. | Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the family patriarch — a prolific hunter named Mr. President — returned to their tulip poplar tree with a still-flapping fish for The First Lady and their gray, fluffy newborn. A cold rain began to fall minutes later, beading atop the mother’s sleek coat of brown feathers as the children remained covered beneath her. |
For now, the kids have been given far less cool monikers than their parents: DC2 and DC3. The public will soon get a chance to name them. | For now, the kids have been given far less cool monikers than their parents: DC2 and DC3. The public will soon get a chance to name them. |
Twitter, predictably, has been abuzz with anticipation. | Twitter, predictably, has been abuzz with anticipation. |
“OHMYGOODNESS it’s happening!! When is the baby going to hatch?!?!?!” Liza Jane posted at 11:31 a.m. Saturday. | “OHMYGOODNESS it’s happening!! When is the baby going to hatch?!?!?!” Liza Jane posted at 11:31 a.m. Saturday. |
“My mom is all about that #eaglecam,” tweeted Natalie Ann. “My eagle-related texts are at an all time high.” | “My mom is all about that #eaglecam,” tweeted Natalie Ann. “My eagle-related texts are at an all time high.” |
One man shared an image of his cat pressed against a flat-screen TV, which was displaying the live feed. “Everyone,” he wrote, “is a fan of the #eagelcam.” | One man shared an image of his cat pressed against a flat-screen TV, which was displaying the live feed. “Everyone,” he wrote, “is a fan of the #eagelcam.” |
On Friday, viewers from as far away as the Netherlands watched the first eaglet’s debut. | On Friday, viewers from as far away as the Netherlands watched the first eaglet’s debut. |
All of this excitement has brought considerable attention to the American Eagle Foundation, a small nonprofit organization that has tracked the birds. Its Facebook page recently climbed above (note that we refrained from using “soared”) 100,000 likes. | All of this excitement has brought considerable attention to the American Eagle Foundation, a small nonprofit organization that has tracked the birds. Its Facebook page recently climbed above (note that we refrained from using “soared”) 100,000 likes. |
“This is a very special time in the nest,” the foundation’s president, Al Cecere, said in a statement Thursday. | “This is a very special time in the nest,” the foundation’s president, Al Cecere, said in a statement Thursday. |
The nest has drawn intense interest in part because it’s the first one spotted at the 400-acre arboretum in Northeast Washington since 1947. Being able to witness the eaglets hatch — live — is even more extraordinary. | The nest has drawn intense interest in part because it’s the first one spotted at the 400-acre arboretum in Northeast Washington since 1947. Being able to witness the eaglets hatch — live — is even more extraordinary. |
“I’ve been doing this for 13 years,” Rauch said last week, “and I’ve never seen this.” | “I’ve been doing this for 13 years,” Rauch said last week, “and I’ve never seen this.” |