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.
Good morning. I wasn’t here much yesterday and when I was mostly looked at the cam. Lots of chat and descriptions. I’ve read now. Thanks for all the info and photos. I love reading what y’all write. I just saw our baby at the pond for the first time. Our kiddo does seen to be having a high ol’ time.
she’s having fun amusing herself for sure 😊
Hi Boz yes she is.
E26 was playing with something near the pond at 16:28. So cute!
grabbing it with her talons
jumped up in the air with it
and then with it in her beak, she stops and looks to see if anyone was watching 😂
She moved closer to the edge of the pond, but she didn’t go into the water. Instead, she flew up to the nest to have an afternoon snack.
Thank you Mary for delightful pictures of Little One at the pond. Frolicking and showing dad what can be done.
Very brave to shoo intruder away.
Love and safety hugs to our eagle family!!!!
You’re welcome, Lisa
Haha! My dog does that! When we play tug at the park she’ll stop while she has the toy in her mouth and look around as if to see if the other dogs see her prize. 😂
Hi Carolyn. What kind of dog do you have?
Hi! She’s a Malinois. ☺️
Oh my what a beautiful dog! I hope you are young and energetic! Bet your dog is incredibly smart and energetic!
Hahahaha 😂
She keeps me going; that’s for sure! Do you have animal companions?
I have one parrot, one cat! Casey the parrot is 38 years old, we got him when he was 6 weeks old.
38! Wow! That’s wonderful! I imagine the cat joined the family after Casey and respects him!
This is cat #4, two of them males. None of them have ever shown aggression to him, just curiosity. When a cat would stare up at him, even if showing no aggression, I would in a low, hard voice say NO Ginger. Repeat a little stronger until the cat looked away. A lot of people don’t know, but just a tiny, superficial scratch by a dog or cat can kill a large bird.
That’s quite an accomplishment… to control that prey drive in a cat!
The first, a female, was the hardest and younger of em all. The males were very laid back and mellow. I think maybe they had others feeding them before. Our current cat struggled we think before we claimed her, so I’m surprised at her the most.
That’s beautiful. It speaks to the aura and energy you create! 🥰
You are very sweet.
Yes all came after Casey.
Love to your Casey, and Kitty. Pets certainly feed the soul.
Kitty is named Macie. All were strays that came to the house, were trapped, spayed and kept inside. We had two barn cats that came here that were spayed/neutered but we knew they could never adjust to inside. They were well taken care of, including a heated pad in the barn for the winter. The male and female were very bonded and even attempted copulation after their surgeries! The female was the instigator, putting her rear up to the male’s face. We loved these cats!
😂Dogs can be so funny. I love dogs.
She makes me smile every day! ☺️
The little acrobat!
Thanks for all the photos Mary.
You’re welcome, Debbie.
Just adorable. She seems to take in everything and enjoy every moment. ❤️
Yes, she has a lot of time to learn from dad and explore the area now.
I’m thinking handsome M-15 is once again being pursued by female eagles who recognize his amazing talents and parenting skills. He will remain true to E-26, though. Lots of teaching ahead. 🙂♥️
E26 in nest when intruder visits!
https://youtu.be/bj2KJ5nSMzs
Glad E was ok…
Nice pictures, Carolyn. I don’t think this visiting eagle meant any harm, but E-26 sure did a good job. ♥️
It probably just wanted the food. The camera op zoomed in on its talons. Remember when Harriet disappeared there was an intruder with scarred talons? Maybe they were checking to see if it was back.
Me too, and I hope it doesn’t battle with M15 for the nest. Hope M stays safe.
Crikey that was close!
Very nice picture! 🌸
Thank you 😊…. I guess despite how close it got M15 saw no real threat.
You leave our Little One alone. Be gone intruder.
So glad 😃 Little One is okay.
No trespassing on our Little Ones nest…..
E26 defended the nest and food!!! So brave. ⚔️🤺
Thanks Carolyn that had to be scary.
3:30pm Have no idea what was left today. E26 trying to get something to eat off it.. Yesterday part of a bird wing was brought in, she didn’t want it, so later Dad came and ate it. . Haven’t seen a fish,. but I could have missed it when scrolling. I am late this year watching Eagle nests.
I know an armadillo was brought in at some point recently.
Has E26 taken flight from the ground yet, does anyone know? Was wondering how he was doing with that.