A Winter Storm Moves Into Decorah
It was dark in Decorah, Iowa when the snow began to fall. At first it was light and gentle. Then it grew heavier. By the middle of the night on February 20, 2026, the snowstorm had turned the eagle nest into a soft white hill high in the tree. Sitting in the middle of that nest was HM2, also known as Hatchery Mom 2. She was incubating her egg.
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As the snow kept falling, it started to cover her back. It gathered on her wings. It piled on top of her head. minute by minute, she slowly disappeared under a thick blanket of snow. If you looked quickly, you might not even realize there was an eagle sitting there.
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Even Buried in Snow, She Kept Her Egg Warm
The snowstorm sweeping over the decorah eagles did not scare her away. She did not leave to find shelter or move to a branch. She remained right over her egg. Bald eagles are built for weather like this. Their feathers are thick and warm. Snow and water can sit on top of their outer feathers without soaking through. Under those feathers, their bodies stay warm.
Under HM2, something even more important was happening. On her belly, she has a special warm spot called a brood patch. That warm skin touches the egg and keeps it at just the right temperature. Even though snow covered her back, the egg underneath her stayed warm and safe.
All night long, the storm continued. The tree trunk behind her turned white. The sticks that make up the nest grew round and soft with snow.
HM2 looked like part of the winter scene.
Buried in Snow, She Finally Moved
After a while, she finally stood up. When she did, the snow slid off her feathers in soft clumps. She gave a strong shake, and more snow flew off into the air. For a moment, you could clearly see her powerful body again.
Then she carefully settled right back down over her egg. The snow kept falling until morning light began to shine through the trees. But the egg had never been left alone. It had never lost its warmth. The snowstorm at the Decorah eagle nest showed something simple and strong. A mother stayed where she needed to be. Even when she was buried in snow. Even when the night was long and cold.
High above the snowy ground, HM2 kept her promise without making a sound. And beneath her, the tiny life inside that egg continued to grow.
Thank you to the Raptor Resource Project for offering this live cam experience and allowing people to learn about Bald Eagles. This video was captured by Blossem Holland on youtube. Give her a subscribe if you have youtube(see video).
FAQ
Why didn’t the Decorah eagle mom leave during the snowstorm?
She needed to keep her egg warm. If she leaves for too long, the egg could get too cold. Staying on the nest helps the baby eagle grow safely.
Can eagle eggs survive in snow?
Yes. As long as the parent eagle keeps the egg warm, snow on the parent’s feathers will not hurt the egg.
Are snowstorms normal during Decorah eagle nesting season?
Yes. In places like Iowa, bald eagles often lay eggs in winter, so snowstorms are common.
Was the egg safe during this storm?
Yes. HM2’s body heat kept the egg at the right temperature all night long.
