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.
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.