SCCF: Bald eagle nests hatching on islands
In partnership with volunteers, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) monitors 10 bald eagle nests across Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva and just off-island during the nesting season, which runs from Oct. 1 to May 15.
The SCCF reported that the first nest of the season hatched in late December on Captiva, with three more nests hatching on Sanibel since. As of Jan. 14, the remaining nests were incubating or were still in the nest-building phase.
“Since Hurricane Ian in 2022, bald eagles on the islands have had great nesting success, fledging nine eaglets in 2023 and 13 in 2024,” SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht said. “We’re hoping for another successful year.”
All of the nests endured a rocky start to the nesting season with Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, during which adult male Clive of the Captiva nest was caught by the Window to Wildlife camera apparently riding out the storm in the nest. His mate, Connie, was missing for a few days after the storm, so all happy to see them reunite and successfully produce offspring.
Bald eagles officially became America’s national bird on Dec. 24. The birds have been the official “national emblem” since 1782, and their designation as “national bird” formalizes how most Americans already view them.
After hatching, bald eagle chicks or “eaglets” stay in the nest for about 10-12 weeks. Both parents watch over the eaglets, especially during the first couple of weeks, and deliver prey directly to eaglets’ beaks after first breaking it up into small morsels.
Bald eagle females lay up to three eggs, usually a couple of days apart from each other. The first eaglet to hatch tends to have a size and survival advantage over its younger siblings as it gets fed sooner, and the parents may continue to bring it a greater proportion of food than the later hatchlings.
Eaglets can typically fly within three months post-hatching and can live for up to 20 or 30 years in the wild.
To watch the Window to Wildlife live stream, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba3BD27eKRs.
BALD EAGLES, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
The SCCF reported that while bald eagles are no longer a listed endangered species, they are still protected by state and federal eagle laws, including the Florida eagle rule, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Any disturbance to bald eagles should not take place within 660 feet of an active nest without a federal nest disturbance permit and the required monitors in place.
Homeowners and contractors can determine if their property is within the 660-foot buffer of an active bald eagle nest by viewing the Audubon’s EagleWatch map with buffers at https://cbop.audubon.org/conservation/about-eaglewatch-program.
To learn about obtaining permits for work around bald eagle nests, visit https://myfwc.com/license/wildlife/protected-wildlife-permits/eagle-permits/.
The SCCF’s bald eagle monitoring is conducted in coordination with Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program. For questions about eagles or to share observations or photos, email eagles@sccf.org.
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email