D.C. bald eagle Liberty lays second egg of 2019; father, Justice, still missing
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C.'s famed bald eagle, Liberty, laid her second egg of the year Saturday evening, according to the Earth Conservation Corps.
For now, the egg has been named "ECC6." It was laid at around 7:30 p.m.
Liberty's beau, bald eagle Justice, has not been seen by the Earth Conservation Corps team since Saturday, February 9. They say they are "certain that he is the father of the eggs."
Currently, another bald eagle, who has been identified as Aaron Burrd, has been keeping Liberty company while Justice is missing in action.
Earth Conservation Corps says Liberty and Justice already participated in their mating rituals, and while Burrd has attempted to mate with Liberty, she has remained "vigilant" in dismissing his advances. However, they say Liberty is beginning to "accept the new male" and is "showing him the ropes of being a father."
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Another eagle named M2 by the Citizen Scientists has also appeared and tried to battle for Liberty's attention, Earth Conservation Corps says.
With Justice away, Liberty has had to hunt for fish and protect the nest alone. With the recent unusually warm temperatures, she has been able to leave for longer times, Earth Conservation Corps says.
The longest Earth Conservation Corps says they have seen male eagles leave the nest has been two weeks. They are remaining hopeful for Justice's return.
It takes between 35 to 40 days for a successful egg to hatch, according to Earth Conservation Corps. They anticipate "ECC5," the first egg of the year, to hatch around March 18 through 25, and "ECC6" to hatch around March 25 through 31.