Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has experienced many firsts since the cameras began streaming in 2012. There have been many observations and theories of Eagle behavior that have since been adjusted because of all the Eagle cameras available today. There are not many documented incidents of second or double clutches in a nest after raising young.
Here is the information we have found.
Season 8, 2019-2020, began with Harriet and M15 when the first egg was laid on 11/12/2019 and the second on 11/16/2019. Egg 1 hatched on 12/19/2019, producing E14. The second egg was not viable and did not hatch. E14 passed away in the nest on 1/15/2020 at 27 days old. The wildlife center, CROW, removed E14 and the non-viable egg from the nest. Thoughts were that since the chick and egg were removed, it triggered Harriet and M15 to exhibit behavior that the season was not over for them. They brought sticks and nesting and began mating often. The result was the third egg was laid 38 days later, on 2/22/2020, and the fourth on 2/25/2020. E15 and E16 thrived and fledged successfully.
Season 13, 2024-2025, presents new variables to consider. We have a new female, F23, who appears to be about 7 years old. Two eggs were laid, one on 11-8-2024 and one on 11-11-2024. Egg 1 hatched on 12-14-2025, and egg 2 hatched on 12-17-2025. E24 and E25 were approaching 6 weeks of age when the remains of a duck were brought to the nest on 1-22-2024 that may have passed the HPAI virus to the eaglets. They quickly succumbed to the virus, and E24 passed away on 1-26-2025, at 43 days old and E25 passed away on 1-28-2025, at 42 days old. CROW again removed E24 from the nest and recovered the body of E25. (HPAI confirmed by CROW on 1-31-2025)
M15 and F23 were exhibiting signs that they were not well. Some of their behavior may have been dealing with losing their eaglets. They left the nest site for another perch tree where they were observed. They made a few visits to the nest tree, pond, and pasture area. Over the next 2 weeks, they seemed to get stronger and began more visits to the nest and added several sticks. They seemed to begin courting and mating rituals. M15 brought 2 fish to the nest. They have been working in the nest bole, aerating and moving materials. There are still concerns about M15 and F23’s overall health to have a second clutch.
Here is more information per Essec: “The number of eggs depends on the female. Whether it is genetic or environmental is unknown. The number of eggs she lays is related to her overall health and condition. Energy requirements, food supplies, parental care requirements, and genetics influence clutch size. The same triggers that resulted in the first clutch must be present. It takes a while before the second clutch can be laid because of the time needed to develop the egg. The egg, minus the shell, is made before fertilization occurs – the ovum takes approximately 2 weeks to form. The earliest a replacement clutch can occur would be a little over two weeks. But again, not all matings result in a fertilized egg. Some pairs have had a replacement clutch five weeks after losing their first clutch. It is all about timing.”
While we had a successful second clutch, we can only wait and see what this season will bring. Please keep the Eagle’s welfare in mind when you visit the nest location. Respect restricted areas and give M15 and F23 the space needed to provide them with a stress-free comfort zone. Thank you.