Bald Eagle Hatchling on Webcam

CURWOOD: It's Living on Earth, I'm Steve Curwood. A few weeks ago we spoke with Berry College biologist Renee Carlton, about the schools Eagle cam that broadcasts a live feed of a pair of bald eagles nesting on campus. And we heard there has been a development. So we thought we'd call up Professor Carleton. [PHONE RINGING] CARLETON: [ANSWERS] Renee Carleton. CURWOOD: Hi, Renee Carleton. Steve Curwood here at Living on Earth. How you are? CARLETON: Hi, Steve. Im great. CURWOOD: I understand you have news for us about the bald eagles? CARLETON: We do. On Saturday, an eaglet hatched, and the mother and father have been feeding it. I was just looking at the nest cam a few minutes ago and the little one had a nice big meal, and now mothers tucked it away and its taking a nap. CURWOOD: I see. Im looking at the camera now, and I just see mom there and some stuff off to the side. CARLETON: Lets say thats the fridge? CURWOOD: OK. [LAUGHS] CARLETON: Theres a couple of fish heads, and also theres remains of a coot, which is a type of waterfowl that is very common prey item for eagles, so plenty of food there. CURWOOD: Um, sounds yummy. CARLETON: Yeah. CURWOOD: Now, how soon will we see the chick? CARLETON: Well, every time it gets hungry it starts to move around a little bit, so probably in every half hour or so you can actually get a peek. Its all covered with a gray down, really cute, and just looks around. Its getting much more alert now, moving around a little bit more and getting more coordinated so its growing a little bit every day. CURWOOD: How soon will it fly? CARLETON: Well, theyre usually in the nest for quite a long period of time. The last pair of eaglets that were produced last year were born or hatched in late January, and they left the nest in late April. So thats a span for about four months. The young eaglet will be the same size as its parents when it begins its flight. So weve got a little ways to wait… CURWOOD: Wait a second. Youre saying this eaglet has to be the same size as mom and dad before it can fly? CARLETON: Thats correct. CURWOOD: Wow, they have a lot of feeding to do. CARLETON: They do, and the pair will be busy making sure that theres plenty of food available. Theyll work really hard to ensure that this eaglet makes it. CURWOOD: Im looking here at your website, thats Berry.edu/eaglecam hoping that well see this young one come out. Mom has turned her head around now. Shes tucked her head under her wing. It looks like shes going to sleep? CARLETON: It looks like shes going to take a nap. CURWOOD: Well, I guess its hard work raising young eagles. CARLETON: It is, you know. Its kind of a good napping day anyway with the sun behind the clouds. Its a bit breezy and cool, so shes settled down for a little bit of a nap. Well deserved. CURWOOD: Alright, well check back with you later when the young one gets a lot bigger. CARLETON: OK. CURWOOD: Renee Carlton is a biologist at Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia. Thanks so much, Renee. CARLETON: Youre welcome.