FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Bald Eagle nest on record for the most screen time in the state is expecting the hatching of two eggs any hour now.
Southwest Florida's beloved bald eagle pair, F23 and M15, are expecting once again. The two eggs laid on November 8 and 11 are nearing the end of their 36-day incubation period, and a pip was spotted on one of the eggs Friday morning.
This marks the second season for F23 (Female 2023) and M15 (Male 2015) as a mated pair. Both F23 and M15 have been attentive parents, taking turns incubating the eggs to ensure they maintain the right temperature for the developing embryos. The pair will continue nurturing the eggs until they sense movement and hear the chicks' soft calls as the hatching process begins. The time between the initial crack, known as the "pip," and the full hatching can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. The first hatchlings could emerge at any moment.
Eagle enthusiasts can follow the progress of the eggs through the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, which streams live on its official website and YouTube channel.
First Coast News will periodically stream the hatching process in the video player above, as well as on our First Coast News+ streaming app on smart TVs.
This season marks the 13th year of live streaming for the SWFL Eagle Cam, which has attracted more than 210 million views from over 190 countries worldwide.