Watch video captured live as Decorah eagle lays first egg

Watch video captured live as Decorah eagle lays first egg

On February 23, 2011, the Raptor Rescue Group captured the live filming of the Decorah eagle as she laid her first of three eggs. By April 6, 2011, all three eggs hatched while the world watched live video over the Internet.

The snow was still visible in parts of the nest as the mother eagle waited patiently for the first egg to arrive. The videos below encompass approximately 20 minutes and at first glance it appears that nothing is happening, but lo and behold, the camera was capturing a true marvel of nature, and one that often isn’t viewed firsthand.

It isn’t until the second video that the egg is actually delivered and soon after, the second egg would arrive. The second egg would make its arrival on February 26, 2011 followed by the third egg which showed up on March 2, 2011.

In the second video below, you can see as the eagle looks around and appears to be waiting patiently for egg. After delivering the egg, she slowly turned around then gently rolled the egg with her beak to a better spot where she could sit and incubate it.

The nest is in a tree approximately 80 feet in the air and if you look towards the upper right corner of the video, it is possible to see traffic driving by.

Amazing video shows female eagle as she calls for male, tells him to get home and take care of the eggs

Amazing video shows female eagle as she calls for male, tells him to get home and take care of the eggs

It may seem a marvel of nature, but essentially, it’s something that all women can identify with. In the video below, you’ll see the female eagle (known as the Decorah eagle) as she calls for her mate and tell him to come home and take care of the eggs. The call is the female eagle’s way of alerting her mate that she needs to leave the nest. The video was taken on March 2, 2011, the same day she delivered the third egg. Did she know that the third egg was on the way; therefore she needed him to stay in the nest with her?

Apparently, the male eagle was busy tending to other things and didn’t get the message that wifey wanted him home. She finally left the eggs unattended in the nest to go find her mate. After she left the nest, she continued to call for him, as can be heard on the video.

The female returned to the nest to check on the eggs then soon after, the male arrived and reclaimed the duties.

First video of third Decorah eagle egg captured in early March

First video of third Decorah eagle egg captured in early March

On April 6, 2011, the world watched with awe and wonder as the third of the Decorah, Iowa eagle eggs hatched. As the event was streamed live thanks to the Raptor Resource Project. The nonprofit organization is behind the live 24/7 web cam and also maintains nests to ensure the propagation of endangered and threatened bird species. By February 26, 2011, the second egg was delivered and on March 2, 2011, the video captured the eagle as she delivered the third egg.

In the video below, you can see as the mother eagle takes a quick break from incubating the eggs and you can see the eggs underneath her where they remained in the nest. At approximately 10:00 into the twelve minute video, you can see the eagle as she exhibits multiple muscle contractions indicating the third egg is being delivered.

By 11: 36 in the video you can see the appearance of all three eggs!

Video captures Decorah eagle as she lays second egg

Video captures Decorah eagle as she lays second egg

On February 26, 2011, the eagles now known as the Decorah eagles laid their second egg and the excitement was caught on videotape. Earlier in the day, the live webcam captured the male eagle as he alternated with the female eagle incubating the egg, as at that time there was only one. The video showed many great close-ups on the male’s face and it is truly amazing to witness this aspect of nature in its true form.

You can watch the video that shows the eagle as her wings move with every pulse and muscle contraction as she delivers the second egg. The delivery was at night and the Raptor Resource Project cam uses infrared light for nighttime viewing, so the film is very clear and crisp, but in black and white. Many other cams lose the ability to see clearly at night, but not so with the Raptor Resource Project. In the video you can fast forward to the 1 minute and 10 seconds mark to see the exact moment where the second egg was delivered.

After the second eggs delivery, the mother moves around and prepares the area a little more to ensure the eggs will be thoroughly protected and well incubated. At the 2:44 mark you can see both eggs as the mother settles them in then rests atop them to incubate them.

Male Decorah Bald Eagle incubates egg (videos)

Male Decorah Bald Eagle incubates egg (videos)

What may be one of the most beautiful aspects of the live eagle cam is seeing the actions of the male bald eagle in the birthing process.  The male eagle shows he is a devoted father from the beginning.  In the video below, captured on February 26, 2011, you can see as the male eagle alternated with the female eagle in caring for the first egg.  The nest, surrounded by a thick layer of snow features one, solitary egg and you can watch as the father leaves the egg in preparation for the female to resume her duties. 

The Raptor Resource Project did a superb job with their filming and captured the video in such a way that shows the beauty of the male eagle, with great closeups of his face.  The video was captured just hours before the female Decorah eagle would lay her second egg.

Watch Decorah Eagles Build Nest (videos)

Watch Decorah Eagles Build Nest (videos)

The following videos are from January 7, 2011 and show the Decorah, Iowa nest as it is built in preparation for what would now be known as the three Deorah eaglets. One video shows the mother eagle as she visited the tree between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, and build the nest.  You can get a first hand look at the mother as she carefully build the nest, moving stick by stick and getting the site ready for the eggs.

The second video shows a curious squirrel as he or she mischievously checks out the building of the nest.  The squirrel climbs into the nest and makes its way to the edge before deciding to leave.


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Eagle Cam brought to you by the Raptor Resource Project

Eagle Cam brought to you by the Raptor Resource Project

The live Eagle Cam that has become a global phenomenon is made possible by the Raptor Resource Project located at a fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. The live video cam is streamed from a large tree located on the hatchery’s property and streams 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and uses infrared lighting to provide clear, crisp images during the night hours. Sunlight illuminates the video during the day. The infrared lighting is safe and does not harm the eagles, nor are the eagles and eaglets aware that the infrared lighting nor video camera is streaming their activities 24/7.

The Raptor Resource Project was founded in 1988 and is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the restoration and preservation of eagles, ospreys, hawks, owls and falcons. The Raptor Resource Project is actively involved in maintaining the birds’ nesting sites as well as well as provides training to help strengthen the bird’s survival. The Raptor Resource has a number of bird cams set up, not just the wildly popular live Eagle Cam that has become nearly an addiction to millions as viewers have been able to watch three eaglets hatch.

The first egg was laid on February 23, 2011 and the first egg hatched on April 1, 2011. The second egg hatched on April 3, 2011 and the third egg hatched on April 6, 2011. Now that the eaglets are all here, viewers have been given a rare, firsthand look at how the mother eagle cares for her young and the function that the father plays with taking care of his new brood.

You may see the live eagle cam above and videos from these important moments below.