Bald Eagle Nest Collapses At Duke Farms: Will The Birds Rebuild?

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — "Inhale. Exhale. Yes. Part of the eagle nest collapsed," confirmed Duke Farms nature preserve in Hillsborough.

The nest reportedly collapsed in several sections on Friday morning, reported the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.

"This is not an uncommon occurrence with eagles' nests. Nests that are used for many years get very large and heavy. Every year a few nests fall or in some cases, the entire nest tree falls," said the foundation.

In some cases, chicks could be injured or killed during a collapse. Luckily, at Duke Farms, both juvenile Bald Eagles had already fledged more than a month ago and were not injured.

"The fact the nest has collapsed after the juveniles were fledged is a good thing. They have been fledged for over a month, haven't been seen at the nest as frequently, and will soon be going off on their own," said the foundation.

Duke Farms is betting the juveniles will rebuild in the same tree or somewhere nearby.

"We'll have to wait and see what will happen with the nest," said the foundation.

The Duke Farms Eagle Camera has been following one male Bald Eagle since the nature preserve banded him in 2000.

Each year the male returns to the nest in December or January with a female partner to get the nest ready to start a new family and lay eggs for the upcoming season.

This year, 2023, was the nest's 18th season with two successfully hatched and fledged chicks. Read More: Young Bald Eagles Take First Flight Of 2023 At Duke Farms

Duke Farms's Eagle Cam, which offers a 24/7 live stream channel for viewers all over the world, has been following the 23-year-old male, who is an NJ banded bird (A59), since the nature preserve in Hillsborough banded him in 2000 along with his female partners.

However, concerns were raised in June that he may be missing. Read More: Missing Bald Eagle? Concerns Rising Over Duke Farms Male

His whereabouts will most likely not be confirmed until the next nesting season.

For now, eager viewers can watch the Duke Farms Eagle Cam for a chance of catching a glimpse of the juveniles or other wildlife.

The camera was installed in partnership with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey to serve as a tool for teaching about wildlife and its many facets like animal behavior, bird biology, natural history, endangered species, food webs, and more.

• See Related: A Bird's Eye View Of America's National Bird: Duke Farms Eagle Cam

To watch the Dukes Farms camera live at dukefarms.org/eaglecam.

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