Editor’s note: If you accessed the link in the previous version of this feature, only one screen was visible. The link now goes to split-screen, simultaneous videos; one allows viewers to see into the nest. An updated photo with the two eggs was substituted. Names of previous eaglets were included.
A new season of birth has begun for an internationally-known pair of American bald eagles, Liberty (female) and Justice. They became a pair in 2009 and laid an egg in 2010. It did not survive. Their nest is on the Alcoa Company’s Davenport[, IA,] Works property.
Installation of two live-action cameras in 2011 took their recognition factor skyward! On two screens, you will see them groom the nest; feed; swoop into and out of the nest; fend off intruders; call to each other. It is a bonus when the two adults are at the nest. Alcoa spokesman John Riches stated Liberty, the female, is considerably larger than Justice. She also seems to spend most of “the night shift” in the aerie.
To watch the spring ritual, copy and bookmark this link to the site: https://www.arconic.com/eaglecam/.
According to Riches, on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at about 2:30 p.m., Liberty laid laid her first egg of the season, in the aerie high above the Mississippi River. The second egg appeared on Wednesday, February 27, shortly after 5:00 p.m. If a third egg is laid, it should come on Friday, March 1, or Saturday, March 2. The incubation period is about 35 days. Water is seen at the top of this photograph, taken February 27, showing a pair of eggs.
In ten years’ time Liberty and Justice hatched 14 eaglets, usually in batches of two. Twice they laid three eggs.
The first two eaglets fledged in summer 2010 before [Arconic] installed the camera and they were never named. The 12 that fledged since then were named Freedom; Spirit, Faith, and Hope; Honor and Glory; Rudy; Star and Sky; Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury.
- The eaglet of 2011 was named Freedom.
- The three born in 2012 were Faith, Hope, and Spirit.
- Honor and Glory came in 2013.
- In 2014, the lone eaglet was named Rudy, to honor late Davenport Police Sergeant Kevin “Rudy” Marxen, who died in February.
- 2015 produced no hatch.
- 2016 brought Star and Sky.
- Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury were launched in 2017.
- In 2018, two eggs were laid, but they produced no live offspring.
Start thinking of names to submit.