WASHINGTON — The soon-to-be newest member of a family of D.C. bald eagles made a tiny crack in its shell Tuesday morning, the first step in a hatching process that could take up to 48 hours.
For the past month, the famous eagle pair “Mr. President” and “First Lady” have been keeping watch over two eggs in their nest atop a tree on the grounds of the National Arboretum.
The first crack, known as a “pip,” appeared about 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to the American Eagle Foundation, which is offering a high-definition livestream of the incubation and hatching process on the DC Eagle Cam.
“This is a very special time in the nest,” said AEF Founder and President Al Cecere in a statement. “To witness the up‑close process of an eaglet breaking through its shell is wonderfully heartwarming. We hope both eaglets hatch this week and show signs of good health.”
The first egg was laid Feb. 19 and the second on Feb. 23. The average incubation period is 35 days. After they’re hatched, the duo will be the fourth and fifth eaglets raised by the eagle pair.
Across town, another bald eagle pair “Justice” and “Liberty,” who nest on the grounds of the police facility in Southeast D.C., welcomed a baby eaglet of their own on March 15.
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