Beloved Southwest Florida eagle, F23, is presumed dead after credible reports of a deceased eagle were found less than two miles from the nest.
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam operators announced the news on Facebook on Tuesday evening, writing that they presume F23 has passed. They added that while they await confirmation, the proximity and timing make this the most likely conclusion.
“This is a deeply sad day for our community. We were blessed to observe F23 for just two and a half seasons, but in that short time, her eagerness to learn, her devotion to M, and her care for her eaglets were unmistakable. She grew before our eyes, and so many of us felt connected to her journey.”
F23 had been missing since 8:12 a.m. Friday, Feb 27.
This was F23’s third season in the nest after joining M15 in August 2023. Viewers took to the comment section to voice their upset over F23’s passing.
“This makes me so sad. M15 has been through so much,” one commenter said.
“Although I’m sad to read this, it gives me comfort that she has been found. It was so difficult with Harriet as she was never found,” another wrote.
“After the passing of Harriet and all the sorrow, F23 gave us so much joy and hope for M15 for a new beginning for the nest,” another commented. “M15 has already lost 2 companions in his young life, but he is a wonderful Dad to his progeny, and I’m hopeful he will endure and start a new life with another companion.”
What happened to F23? How did F23 die?
As of March 4, the cause of death is unknown.
SFEC wrote on Facebook that they were awaiting confirmation of F23’s death.
Did F23 leave behind any eaglets?
Yes, F23 and M15 welcomed an eaglet, E26, in December.
According to the SFEC Facebook, E26 is doing well and has branched.
What happens to male eagle, M15?
Since F23’s disappearance, her mate M15 has been watching over the eaglet on his own, providing food and protection.
But solo parenting is no unfamiliar task for M15. In 2023, M15’s mate of 8 years — Harriet – disappeared, leaving M15 to raise their two eaglets until they could fly on their own.
What happened to Harriet the eagle?
Harriet was a beloved Southwest Florida eagle who rose to fame through the SFEC Livestream. Viewers quickly latched onto the matriarch as they witnessed her triumphs and challenges each season, making her a fixture in both the local community and the animal world.
Harriet first landed on the Pritchett McSpadden property back in the 1990s with former mate Ozzie. After hatching several eaglets and even moving on to M-15, the female eagle secured her status as an adored animal icon.
Everything changed in 2023 when Harriet did not return to the nest after she was last seen flying northwest to chase off intruders, alerting both SFCE officials and viewers. Both wildlife officials and eagle cam fans conducted search parties.
Unfortunately, Harriet never returned to the nest. SFEC officials said they found no trace of her and have no concrete theories on what happened.
What is the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam?
The Pritchett McSpadden family co-founded the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam in 2012. The livestream, made available by Dick Pritchett Real Estate in North Fort Myers, provides a sneak peek into the eagles’ lives.
The camera has attracted over 222 million viewers to watch the daily activities of its two adult eagles as they repair their nest, fly in to feed their two hungry eaglets, and keep a watchful eye on what’s happening outside their home.
How can I watch the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam?
You can watch the live stream at dickpritchettrealestate.com or on YouTube at SouthwestFloridaEagleCam.
Contributing: Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Famous Florida eagle dies. What happened to F23?
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
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