Southwest Florida Eagle Cam – Eagle Nest Live

Background and Pairing with Harriet

M15 is a male bald eagle featured on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, a popular livestream that offers a window into the lives of a bald eagle pair nesting in North Fort Myers, Florida. The nest, located 60 feet up in a slash pine tree on the Pritchett family property, has been monitored by cameras since 2012, providing viewers worldwide with real-time insights into eagle behavior. M15’s name stands for “Male 2015,” marking the year he first appeared at this nest and bonded with his initial mate, Harriet.

M15 arrived at the nest in late 2015 following the death of the original male eagle, Ozzie, who had been Harriet’s mate since at least 2006. Ozzie passed away in September 2015 after injuries sustained in a fight with another eagle, and Harriet, the nest’s matriarch, soon paired with M15. Their bond solidified quickly, and they began their first nesting season together in 2015-2016. Over the next eight seasons, M15 and Harriet raised multiple eaglets, facing challenges like storms, nest deterioration, and predators, all captured live on the Eagle Cam. Harriet and M15 became beloved figures, with their resilience and teamwork endearing them to millions of viewers.

Harriet’s Disappearance and M15’s Solo Parenting

The 2022-2023 season brought a dramatic shift. After Hurricane Ian destroyed their nest in September 2022, Harriet and M15 rebuilt it in time to lay two eggs in late November and early December. The eggs hatched into eaglets E21 and E22 in late December 2022 and early January 2023. However, on February 2, 2023, Harriet vanished after flying northwest to chase off intruders. Despite extensive searches by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local volunteers, she was never found, leaving her fate unknown—though many suspect she was injured or killed.

M15 stepped up as a single parent, raising E21 and E22 alone. He hunted, fed, and protected the eaglets, demonstrating remarkable dedication. Both eaglets successfully fledged in spring 2023, a testament to M15’s capabilities as a father. This period solidified his reputation as a “super dad” among Eagle Cam fans.

Southwest Florida Eagle Nest Cam M15 American Bald Eagle

New Mate: F23

In the summer of 2023, a new female eagle, dubbed F23 (“Female 2023”), was spotted in the area. By October 2023, she and M15 had bonded, marking the start of their first season as a mated pair. They returned to the nest ahead of the official nesting season (October 1–May 15) and began rebuilding. On November 8, 2023, F23 laid their first egg—the earliest recorded egg-laying date in the cam’s history—followed by a second on November 11. Only one egg hatched, producing eaglet E23 on December 31, 2023. E23 fledged in May 2024, marking a successful first season for the new pair.

2024-2025 Season and Challenges

The 2024-2025 season, the 13th for the Eagle Cam and the second for M15 and F23, began with the pair returning in late August 2024. F23 laid two eggs on November 8 and 11, 2024, and both hatched into eaglets E24 and E25 in mid-December 2024. Tragically, this season took a devastating turn. E24, the firstborn, died on January 27, 2025, followed by E25 on January 31, 2025. Both eaglets succumbed to avian influenza, a highly contagious virus affecting wild birds. M15 and F23, however, tested negative and remained healthy. Posts on X in early March 2025 noted speculation that the pair might attempt a rare second clutch, though this is uncommon for bald eagles after raising young in the same season.

M15’s Character and Legacy

M15 is celebrated for his strength, adaptability, and nurturing nature. His ability to rebuild nests, fend off intruders (like owls and other eagles), and raise eaglets—both with Harriet and alone—has made him a standout figure. Now in his second season with F23, M15 continues to captivate viewers. The nest, labeled LE026-B by the Florida State Monitoring Program, has been his home for a decade, and his story reflects the resilience of bald eagles in the wild.

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, run by Dick Pritchett Real Estate, uses four cameras—including a 360-degree view and 4K footage—to stream M15’s life 24/7. As of March 12, 2025, M15 remains a symbol of endurance, navigating loss, new beginnings, and natural challenges in front of an audience of millions.

You can follow and watch M15 and F23 LIVE on Southwest Florida Eagle Cam’s Youtube channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is F23, and how did she become M15’s new mate?

F23 (Female 2023) appeared in the area during the summer of 2023 and bonded with M15 by October of that year. This marked her first season as his mate, and together they successfully raised eaglet E23 in the 2023-2024 season.

How many eaglets has M15 raised over the years?

M15 has raised numerous eaglets since joining the nest. With Harriet, he fledged eaglets across eight seasons (2015-2023), including notable ones like E7, E8, E9, E23, and more. With F23, he raised E23 in 2024, and with E24 and E25 in the 2024-2025 season.

Who was Harriet?

Harriet was a wild bald eagle who first appeared at the SWFL nest around 2006, when she bonded with her initial mate, Ozzie. Harriet and Ozzie established the nest in a tall Slash Pine tree on the Pritchett family’s property, about a mile from the Caloosahatchee River. Together, they raised numerous eaglets over the years, though records from before the eagle cam’s launch in 2012 are less detailed.

The couple became famous when the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam began streaming in October 2012, offering a live view of their nesting activities. Their first widely documented eaglets, E1 and E2, hatched in the 2012-2013 season. Harriet and Ozzie’s partnership ended tragically in September 2015 when Ozzie was injured in a territorial fight with another eagle, later dying at a wildlife clinic. Harriet was left alone briefly before a new suitor arrived.

In late 2015, a young male eagle, later named M15 (Male 2015), won Harriet’s favor after competing with other suitors. At the time, Harriet was likely in her late teens or early 20s, while M15 was estimated to be around 5-7 years old.

Harriet and M15 formed a strong bond, raising eaglets together across eight nesting seasons (2015-2023). Notable offspring include E7, E8, E9, E14 (who tragically died after a nest incident), and E21 and E22 from her final season. Harriet was known for her commanding presence and nurturing nature. She often took the lead in incubating eggs and feeding eaglets, while M15 provided food and defended the territory.

What challenges did M15 face?

Natural Disasters: Hurricane Ian in 2022 demolished the nest, forcing a rebuild under tight timelines.

Loss of Harriet: Her disappearance tested his ability to parent alone, a rare feat for a male eagle.

Eaglet Health: Incidents like E8’s fishing line injury (2015) and E17/E18’s eye infections (2021) required human intervention, which M15 weathered calmly. Most recently the loss of E24 and E25 due to avian influenza in 2025.

2026 Breeding Season Updates

Read more about M15 and F23’s 2026 breeding season

3/11/26 – E26 back in the nest self feeding. At such young age, E26 will still have to rely on M15 to catch and bring food to the nest.

3/11/26 – E26 seen back at the nest Wednesday morning, and flies again in front of a crowd! What a treat!

3/10/26 – E26 fledges!!! On Tuesday 3/10/26 at 6:32pm EST, E26 goes from the top of the tree, flies out towards the right side of the camera view, and circles around and lands back on the treetop!! Congratulations E26!!!

3/7/26 – E26 hopped on the branch and got close to the camera for a closeup shot. Smile!

3/7/26 – E26 feeding on a fish caught by M15.

3/7/26 – M15 stand watch alone, as he has done this before. The father of the year American bald eagle is once again having to raise a young by himself. M15 is an amazing eagle.

3/4/26 – Further news from Southwest Florida Eagle cam:

“While there is no definitive way to confirm that the deceased eagle reported to local authorities was F23. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that no evidence of foul play was observed. Based on their preliminary assessment, the eagle most likely died from blunt force trauma due to a vehicle strike.

Bald eagles are often drawn to roadways because of roadkill. Due to their size and slower lift-off speed, they can be especially vulnerable to vehicle strikes.

F23’s death is a stark reminder to remain observant while driving — particularly near water, wooded areas, and anywhere roadkill is visible. Slowing down and scanning road shoulders can make a difference.

If you ever encounter an injured eagle, please do not approach it. Contact the appropriate wildlife authorities (@myfwc or @crowclinic ) so trained professionals can respond safely.
If greater awareness can help protect even one eagle in the future, we honor the legacy that F23 leaves behind. (Photo of F23 by MLiz Photography)”

3/4/26 – Devastating news, F23 has passed away. Read the official announcement below:

“With heavy hearts, we are sharing an update regarding F23.

After receiving several credible reports of a deceased eagle found less than two miles from the nest, we are presuming that F23 has passed. While we await any possible 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.

Loss in the wild is never easy to witness. It is a sobering reminder that nature, while beautiful, can also be unforgiving. Still, the time we were given to watch F23 soar, nurture, and thrive is something no one can take away.

Today, we grieve together — Fly High and Forever Free, F23. 💔
(Photos of F23 by Desiree Deliz Photography)”

2/26/26 – E26 shows off his amazing wingspan while on the branch, flapping and exercising wing movement. It’s wonderful to see how well E26 has grown, thanks to the amazing care of M15 and F23.