Bald Eagle Chicks To Be Banded At Duke Farms In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The two famous Bald Eagle chicks at Duke Farms are just about five weeks old and will soon be banded.

"They are growing fast and their pin feathers have started to appear," said Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.

Pin feathers can be seen through the Duke Farms Eagle Cam on the end of their tails, wings and backs.

"The chicks have both been getting fed plenty of food. Over the past few days of rainy, windy weather the chicks have huddled under the adult for protection and when an adults not around they cuddle with each other," said Conserve Wildlife.

State Biologists and Duke Farms staff are planning to visit the nest on Friday, April 12 depending on the weather. At that time the chicks will be taken out of the nest for measurements, blood work, and banding.

Two eggs were laid in 2024 at the nest in Duke Farms. The first bald eagle egg of 2024 was laid at 3:48 p.m. Jan. 22, and the second egg arrived at 3:36 p.m. Jan. 25.

The first chick hatched around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 29 and the second chick hatched around 7:30 p.m. on March 1.

The chicks will most likely fledge, or become capable of flying, by the middle of May.

The eggs and the bald eagle parents can be seen on Duke Farms' Eagle cam, which livestreams the nest 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To catch a glimpse of the new chicks and the bald eagle parents, watch the Dukes Farms camera live at dukefarms.org/eaglecam.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.