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
Read more
Meet M15 & F23
- 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.
Support & Alerts
- Get email alerts for eggs, hatches, & first flights
- spo-newsletter
- Support these cams & conservation: dickpritchettrealestate.com
Cam 3
main cam
4k cam
Community Discussions
Questions and topics started by viewers.
Has the baby eaten yet today?
Wondering too, if the baby has eaten today..
I haven’t seen the baby eating as of today.
Thanks Karen Marie.
Was getting worried! Thank you Lisa.
looks like roadkill
Don’t like to see that, but . . .
💞💞
Look at you sweet baby!!!
😘
maybe it’s a good thing 26 is an only child, there wouldn’t be room on that branch for 2 🙂
😀
Yep, I definitely believe she’s a girl. Even a boy would have a hard time fitting on the branch or in the nest with her. 🙂 Another thing, though, is that M-15 made the nest somewhat smaller this year. I noticed he cut off some of one portion of it, I believe the part that doesn’t have a limb any more.
whoops slipseys lol
Looks so lonely
My thoughts exactly.
Yes, Dad is probably out looking for Mom again. ❤️ 😥 It will be so much better when she starts to fly.
Good morning everyone.
Hey Ardyth. Sweet picture. 🌹
They have examined (presumed) F23 and here is what was posted today on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam web site: “While there is no definitive way to confirm that the deceased eagle reported to local authorities was F23. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that no evidence of foul play was observed. Based on their preliminary assessment, the eagle most likely died from blunt force trauma due to a vehicle strike.” This was also posted in the Pritchett Chat. If this preliminary report ends up being the final conclusion, then I wish they would lower the… Read more »
Thank you, MaryNJ. 😥 I agree, they should lower the speed limits. And it would be nice if they could install possibly-hidden video cameras in various places, and post their existence in large letters on the side of the road. Couldn’t be that expensive — they would not have to be maintained every day. Maybe the Department of Wildlife could do it. 🌹🦅
It really is ridiculous that they don’t lower the speed limit in a one or two mile radius of the nest. The authorities prefer to have people running out onto a fast busy road to stop vehicles and move roadkill so that the eagles don’t get hurt. It also would be nice if they would design and post a highway sign showing an eagle flying down for roadkill, just like they post deer warning signs on roads where drivers have a greater risk of hitting a deer.
Yes, I agree with everything you said, MaryNJ. Especially that highway sign of an eagle flying down. I also wish someone / anyone had notified the authorities right away. They could have done it anonymously if desired. Maybe could have saved her, like Ozzie. 😢
It was said on FB that the person who hit her didn’t stop or call for help, and that a dog found the eagle in someone’s yard on Shelby Lane. They also mentioned that if a large truck hits a bird or animal, the driver may not even realize it. If it was a car they would know they hit the eagle, and they should have stopped and called the authorities right away.
Thanks for posting……💔