The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proudly announced this week that the first of two eaglets from the pair of Bald Eagles that have been nesting in the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. has hatched.

Viewers from all over the world have watched from the DC Eagle Cam as the wild pair, named “Mr. President” and “The First Lady,” worked tirelessly over the winter performing “nestorations,” fortifying their nest with sticks and making it comfortable for raising a family. Their hard work finally paid off on February 10th when The First Lady laid their first egg, with a second egg laid shortly after. The first eaglet emerged from its shell this morning, and the second is expected to hatch sometime over the weekend.

The bonded pair of eagles first chose the nation’s Capitol for their nest in October 2014. They are the first Bald Eagle pair that has nested in this location since 1947. These birds successfully raised one healthy eaglet during the spring/summer of 2015. The American Eagle Foundation had the privilege of visiting the Arboretum, and its idyllic nest site, during a visit to Washington, D.C. last year. Soon afterwards, the AEF and USDA entered into a partnership to place two HD video cameras at the top of the nest tree with direct views into the nest.

“Bald Eagles don’t always return to their first year nests. It was a little risky investing in this project without any certainty that the eagles would return for a second season,” says AEF’s Publicity Coordinator Julia Cecere. “It was a happy day for everyone when both eagles were spotted back on the nest this past October.”

USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Scientists Ramon Jordan and Sue Greeley have been keeping a close eye on the eagles ever since they chose the Arboretum as their home in 2014. Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) volunteers have monitored this nest and other nests in the DC area in addition to coordinating an effort to clean up the Anacostia River, which provides an abundant source of fish to eagles in D.C.

“The opportunity to sponsor a project of this nature is an honor,” says AEF Founder and President Al Cecere. “Live-streaming cameras that feature our Nation’s Symbol nesting in our Nation’s Capital…you can’t get much more American than that. It’s a great addition to our Nest Cam Program and we hope it brings joy to a lot of people.”

Every special family moment can be viewed 24/7 via two live-streaming high-definition video cameras by visiting the DC Eagle Cam website.