Southwest Florida Eagle Cam (SWFL)

Watch the SWFL Eagle Cam live from Southwest Florida and follow beloved bald eagle pair M15 & F23 through nest building, egg-laying, hatch, and fledge. Below you’ll find the live stream, today’s highlights, season timeline, and FAQs to help you get the most from the cams.

Season Timeline

Nestoration: late Oct–Nov — sticks, rails, soft grass & moss
Egg window: early–mid Nov (watch for increased food deliveries & nest time)
Hatch window: ~35 days after laying
Fledge window: ~10–12 weeks after hatch
Post-fledge: parental feeding & flight training near the nest

M15: Veteran provider & nest engineer; known for multiple fish deliveries/day in pre-lay.
F23: First egg of 2024 laid Nov 8; 2025 Nov 12th; in pre-lay periods she often eats on the nest and increases time in the nest tree.

How to Watch (Cam Tips)

Playback: Use the DVR bar to rewind ~12 hours.
Audio: Wind can mask vocalizations; try the 4K cam for clearer sound.
Behavior cues: Mantling over food, aerating, rolling eggs, “chortle” vocalizations.

Tip: For the best audio of chortles and wingbeats, use the 4K cam.
Local time: The nest operates on Eastern Time (ET).

Nest History & Notable Moments

Stick engineering: Watch M15 test & wedge branches to raise rails.
Food log: Tilapia, catfish heads, mullet—varies by season and water levels.
Visitor notes: Loggerhead shrike, anhinga, and the occasional raven fly-by.

FAQs

Q: When do SWFL eagles usually lay eggs?
A: Typically early–mid November, with hatch roughly 35 days later.

Q: Why is F23 eating on the nest?
A: In pre-lay, females often conserve energy and stay close to the bowl, so on-nest feeding increases.

Q: How can I tell who’s on the nest?
A: F23 is larger with a rounder head; M15 shows a slightly slimmer frame and often arrives with sticks or fish.

Q: Do you intervene?
A: No. These cams document wild eagles for education and research; intervention is not part of this project.

Q: Best times to watch?
A: Sunrise and late afternoon for deliveries and nest work; overnight for incubation shifts.