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Second baby bald eagle begins hatching process at National Arboretum 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 full hatching process, he said, may take an additional 24 to 36 hours. 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.
Experts didn’t expect this activity from baby eagle No. 2 until at least 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 on the exact day watchers had predicted. 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.”