3/25/2015

The first of two bald eagle eggs in a York County nest hatched Tuesday morning, days after its "due date," according to footage from the Pennsylvania Game Commission's camera above the nest.

The newly born eagle was spotted at 8:25 a.m.

Here is what to expect next: Help from parents

Adults sit on their eaglets to keep them warm.

• They will continue incubating the unhatched egg.

• Both adults shred prey for the eaglets until they are old enough to eat on their own.

The second egg could hatch

• The second egg is expected to start hatching around March 24.

• Pipping, or breaking through the egg shell, can take between 24 and 48 hours.

• The younger sibling will be at risk from its larger, older nestmate.

• Eggs don't always hatch. Only time will tell if both eggs are viable.

Feathers

• Eaglets emerge from the eggs as gray, wet blobs.

• As they dry off, their off-white down feathers will become fluffy.

• Eaglets will grow brown and white juvenile feathers within a few weeks.

• Adult feathers, including the white head feathers, grow in after about five years.

Looking ahead

• Eaglets can regulate their own temperatures about 20 days after hatching.

• They will likely learn how to fly in early June.

• Eaglets will leave the nest for good no later than December.

• Bald eagles have a life expectancy of about 20 years in the wild.

http://www.ldnews.com/ci_27770076/first-bald-eagle-egg-hatches-hano...