The Raptor Resource Project (www.raptorresource.org) brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.
Below is the LiveCam. The feed will start automatically–it is worth the 30 second wait for the advertisement to end.
Free video streaming by Ustream
Below is more information about the eagle pair and their nest along with some videos of the eggs being laid. The information below is from the chat room.
Eggs and hatches, 2011
Videos of the First Egg Being Laid 2/23/11 at 5:33 p.m., part 1 when she lays the egg, and part 2 when we get our first look.
Video of the Second Egg Being Laid 2/26/11 at 6:42 p.m.
Video of the Third Egg Being Laid 3/2/11 at 6:47 p.m.
THIRD EGG LAID 3/2/11 6:47 p.m.
Here’s a video:
SECOND EGG LAID 2/26/11 6:42 p.m. CST
Here’s a video:
FIRST EGG LAID 2/23/11 5:33 p.m. CST
Here are videos, the first part when she lays the egg, the second part when we get our first look:
<p></p>
FAQ
How high is the nest?
About 80 feet.
How big is the nest?
5-6 feet across, about the same deep; it weighs about 1½ tons.
How old is the nest?
The eagles built it in 2007. A previous nest close by fell when a windstorm broke one of the branches.
Are these eagles banded?
No.
Which is the male and which is the female?
It is hard to tell the difference unless they are both on the nest. The female is larger than the male. This female has a ridge above her eyes that goes further back than on the male, and her eyes are surrounded by a greyish shadow; the male has a line around his eyes that makes them look “beadier.” Some think that the male’s head is “sleeker” than the female’s.
What is the history of this pair?
They have been together since the winter of 2007-2008. Her markings at that time indicated that she was about 4 years old. They successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, and 3 more in 2010.
When were the eggs laid in 2010, and when did they hatch?
First egg was February 25, second on February 28, third on March 5. First hatch was April 3, second on April 6, third on April 9. All three eaglets fledged and are now on the wing but are not being tracked.
What is the area around the nest like?
The nest is in a cottonwood tree on private property near the Decorah Fish Hatchery (operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources), on the banks of the babbling waters of Trout Run in extreme northeast Iowa. The nest can be seen from the hatchery, but visitors to the hatchery should keep their distance from the nest tree, both to respect the private property where the tree is located and to avoid disturbing the eagles.
Here is a ground-level video of the surroundings, taken in March 2010:
This video shows the eagles’ point of view:
Where can I see pictures and videos of these eagles?
An archive of daily views of the nest over the immediate 24-hour period, taken every 2 minutes, can be found at http://www.raptorresource.org/decorah_eagles/5am.php — Click on Eagle Dailies.
RRP has a YouTube site with many videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/ries96
Who operates and maintains this cam?
The Raptor Resource Project (RRP) maintains the cams, of which there are two. Both are positioned on one of the nest’s supporting limbs about 4-5 feet above the nest. The main cam is automated and is trained on the nest. The other cam has pan-tilt-zoom capabilities (PTZ). The main cam switches to infrared night-time view at dark and is streamed online 24/7. To see pictures of the cam installation, go to http://tinyurl.com/6xbu7om
Who does the panning, tilting, and zooming, and when does that happen?
Bob Anderson, Executive Director of RRP, switches to the PTZ cam when time and weather permit, and especially when there appears to be interesting activity in the nest. He will be especially attentive when hatching begins.
Where can I find out more about this nest?
Some articles in local papers about cam upgrades, with photos of cam installation, have featured the nest:
http://www.easterniowaoutdoors.com/2010/11/03/decorah-eagle-nest-cam-gets-high-tech-upgrade/
and
http://thegazette.com/2011/01/12/new-decorah-eagle-cam-yielding-stunning-images/
The nest was featured in the January-February 2011 issue of Iowa Outdoors, which can be purchased online.
What is the Raptor Resource Project?
Established in 1988, the non-profit Raptor Resource Project specializes in the preservation of falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls. We establish and strengthen breeding populations of these raptors by creating, improving, and maintaining nests and nest sites. In addition to directly managing over twenty-three falcon, eagle, and owl nest sites, we provide training in nest site creation and management across the United States, reach more than 85,000 people each year through lectures, education programs, and our website, and develop innovations in nest site management and viewing that bring people closer to the world around them.
Our mission is to preserve and strengthen raptor populations, to expand participation in raptor preservation, and to help foster the next generation of preservationists. Our work deepens the connection between people and the natural world, bringing benefits to both.
Links to cams of many of the raptor nests that RRP manages can be found at: http://www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/index.html
Does the Raptor Resource Project accept donations?
Yes! RRP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies on the donations of friends. There is a donation button on the RRP home page: http://www.raptorresource.org
What’s this about a PBS documentary on this nest?
The Decorah eagle nest was featured in a PBS Nature series program, “American Eagle,” that premiered in November 2008. Filmed by cinematographers Robert Anderson and Neil Rettig in high-definition, the video is available on DVD and online at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/american-eagle/video-full-episode/4349/
Related posts:
Thanks for the filming and even moreso for the caring for these magnificant raptors. Sure is a testimony to the craftsmanship and blessings of the Almighty.
When will the eggs hatch??
I think about 35 days for incubation. So, the first egg around middle of April — my guess, not fact.
[...] Update: Decorah Eaglets are hatching! April 3, 2011By Editorial StaffTwo eaglets have hatched! Check it out here. [...]
[...] Check out the webcam here. [...]
i appreciate pictures even when no eaglets are present-miss the sounds of birds in the country which i can hear thru your feed. thanks
This has been the most amazing thing I have ever watched. You become attached to DI and want to keep finding where she is. Will she revisit her old nest? thank you for all the wonders you all have given all of us with these Eagles. The word Eagle to me means Freedom for sure after I saw the last pictures of D1 soaring through the air.
Thank you so much!
This is a awsome site,clean and anybody can watch, parents don’t have to worry.
I have been able to see the Eagle dailies through Jan. 27, now I can’t get them. Are they being taken?
[...] kan hier uren naar kijken… Decorah Eagles LiveCam | Soaring Cafe __________________ http://www.imo.im [...]
How did they get a camera located so well to be able to see everything we see? It’s fantastic!
thats cool but is that a male or a female?
Both Mom and Dad tend to the Eaglets
[...] Decorah Eagles are just too good!! Posted on February 23, 2012 by admin document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src=%27http://s10.histats.com/js15.js%27 type=%27text/javascript%27%3E%3C/script%3E")); try {Histats.start(1,1591082,4,0,0,0,""); Histats.track_hits();} catch(err){}; The Decorah Eagle live web cam is again focused on the new eggs in the 1000 pound nest! Visit http://soaringcafe.com/2011/03/decorah-eagles-livecam/ [...]
i love this these eagles are so pretty
i love this these eagles they are fantastic
so grateful to see her again! :D
it is such a Wonder~~~~
Does the continual light on the nest for filming cause the pair anxiety or is harmful to their rest?
I was wondering the same thing–also, I’ve read that even a dim night-light is bad for children’s eyes and can cause near-sightedness. Is this not a concern for the eaglets?
The main cam switches to infrared night-time view at dark. It doesn’t bother any of the Eagles
THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!
What are the small birds moving around underneath the right side of the nest?
Do they nest there?
2 April 2012, 9.43 am New Zealand time.
One small bird was clearly visible just now. It looks like a cock House Sparrow. (Passer domesticus)
Only a sparrow would be so cheeky!
Sparrows are canary sized. It really shows how big eagles are.
Coverage of the Decorah eagles is excellent.
how can you tellthe difference between the mom and dad
The Dad’s face is more slender and the back of the mouth only comes to the middle of his eye and his eyes seem to be outlined with a dark line. Dad also has a black spot at the back of his mouth. The mom has a wider face and head, the yellow around the back of the mouth goes beyond the back of the eye and she has soft grey feathers around her eyes.
What a blessing it is to watch something so wonderful as life repeating itself over and over. My family always checks in daily to see how much the little guys have grown.
I wonder about the behavior: E1 seems to pick on its siblings, even putting its foot on the other??~~~and mom wouldn’t allow dad (or vice versa) to pick at a fish, ??? and the calling of one parent for the other~~~all interesting–and puzzling
This is just too precious. Had a tough day today and to sit here at night and watch this brings a sense of peace. She’s such a good mom. It is precious to watch. thanks for making a way for us to see this.
Good Mom and Dad… I love they way they both share responsibility, and take an active interest in the eaglets.
This is so Cool! What kind of camera are they using?
i think this is so beautiful watching these babies grow …will be sad to see them leave the nest
How old are the babies when they can leave the nest?
12 to 15 weeks old. I don`t want them to leave!
i dont either i will miss them
Why does the date above the live feed say 2011? Is it a live feed or last years feed?
I’ve been watching them for a while now and am enjoying their progress, but I’m concerned about the third baby. He/she doesn’t seem to be eating and the parents seem to be avoiding it and pushing it aside. I hope this changes. Are there other observations from others watching.
I am also worried about the the other baby eagle
do they ever do a rescue of one in trouble?
I’ve noticed that the mother has been feeding the third baby more than the other larger 2. She has been giving it more food and attention in the past day. As for rescuing them, I am not sure, but I too wonder the same.
DO OTHER BIRDS TRY TO TAKE ANOTHER BIRDS NEST
YES
I have really enjoyed watching this “nature” drama unfold. It’s incredible what we can witness nowadays. It has impressed a number of my family and friends as well.
A gentle(because I don’t want to complain) request : back-off the camera at times so that we can see the whole nest or at least all the action of each of the young ones that sometimes are half off the view I have on my computer. Maybe its my setup that does not give me the total view.
Thank you!
My sixth grade science class loves the site. I have been able to incorporate what we are watching into many lessons! One of my students has a question. Is the sex of the babies known?
the babies are growing so fast..i guess they will soon be leaving the nest so sad for me not them lol i will miss them a lot
Tonight I haven’t been able to get the live cam. It’s a blank.
Is anyone else finding this, or is it my computer please?
im not getting live feed either Phillipa
Philippa I’m not getting the live feed either. In fact I’m seeing old feed, the nest is covered in snow and the eaglets haven’t hatched. I don’t know what’s going on but I would be really nice if someone could put up a post and let those of us who watch these beautiful babies grow from day to day. I’m disabled and house bound and these little ones keep me company. I’m tuned into them nearly all day.
Patti i hope nothing has happened to webcam i would miss the babies so much
Was worried about the smaller one on Thursday. It seemed to be laying down most of the time I watched. The larger two were up looking over the edge of the nest & spreading their wings. I have also observed it not eating as much and the other two wolfing down the food. But “wormie,” as I call it, has obviously grown since I began watching. This is the first year I have watched eaglets. Do some of the eaglets leave the nest before others? They aren’t going to kick wormie to the curb are they?
Please back up the camera so we can see more of the nest and the entire birds. Thanks…. Great Job!!