Three incredible species. Three live cameras. From a city eagle nest in Cincinnati to mountain ospreys in Colorado and common loons on a New Hampshire lake — here's everything you need to watch along with us.
The bald eagle has always been considered a sacred species to American Indian people and similarly it's sacred to our nation. The strong return of this treasured bird reminds us of our nation's shared resilience.
— Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the InteriorThe bald eagle population has multiplied by 4.5 times since 2009. Cardinal Land Conservancy has played a proud role in that story. Their nature preserve, located where the Little Miami River meets the Ohio River, is home to a remarkable eagle pair affectionately named Bonnie and Clyde by the birding community.
As the only nest inside the city limits of Cincinnati, these eagles live alongside airplanes departing Lunken Airport, boats on the Ohio River and constant human activity. These city eagles have adapted in a way no others have — food is plentiful, so they put up with the noise.
Read Cardinal Land Conservancy’s official feature, Where Eagles Dare, for the deeper story behind the nest, the preserve and the people protecting it.
How to Identify Bonnie & Clyde
Viewer identification guide — Bonnie (V-shaped neckline & tail spots) vs Clyde (straight neckline)
Eagle Courtship & Nesting
In Ohio, eagles begin courtship in January or earlier. It can range from simply perching together to dramatic aerial displays where the pair soars high and grabs talons, tumbling toward the earth before breaking apart. Another courtship behaviour is adding and rearranging sticks in the nest.
Eagles typically keep the same mate for life — unless one dies, in which case they will find a new partner and usually build a new nest nearby. Bonnie and Clyde's current nest was built after one of the original pair was lost. Their nests are extraordinary structures that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
- Eggs typically laid in February and March
- Incubation period: approximately 35 days
- Eaglets fledge 10–12 weeks after hatching
- Juvenile eagles take 4–5 years to develop adult plumage
Season Records
The osprey is one of nature's most specialised hunters — a fish hawk built for the dive. Unlike most raptors, the osprey and owls are the only birds whose outer toe is reversible, allowing them to grip slippery fish with two toes in front and two behind.
Pitkin County Ospreys — male (M, left) and female (F, right)
Identification
- Deep, glossy brown upperparts with white breast, sometimes streaked with brown
- White head with a distinctive dark mask across the eyes
- Golden to brown irises; pale blue nictitating membrane
- Black bill with blue cere; white feet with black talons
- In flight: arched wings with drooping "hands" — a gull-like silhouette
- Black wrist patches on the underside of wings — a key field mark
Size
Weight: 0.9–2.1 kg | Length: 50–66 cm | Wingspan: 127–180 cm. The male is slimmer with narrower wings and a weaker or absent breast band. Eggs take 35–37 days to hatch.
The call in flight is a series of sharp whistles — cheep, cheep or yewk, yewk. If disturbed near the nest the call becomes a frenzied cheereek!
North America is home to five loon species, but it's the Common Loon that most people know — and that we stream live. Information courtesy of the Loon Preservation Committee.
Behaviour & Biology
Loons are migratory, spending breeding season on inland lakes and wintering on the ocean. They arrive shortly after ice-out in spring and leave before ice forms in autumn. They display high territory fidelity — returning to the same breeding lake year after year, often pairing with the same mate. Contrary to popular belief, loons do not mate for life. If one partner is lost or displaced by a rival, they will accept a new breeding partner.
Appearance
Male and female loons are identical in appearance, though males are generally about 25% larger than females.
Diet
During the breeding season, loons feed primarily on fish but also consume other aquatic creatures. They spend their days feeding, preening, resting and caring for their young.
A significant season — one chick successfully hatched and was confirmed healthy.
Osprey description:Wikipedia (General Description) · Eagle information:Andy Dickerson, Executive Director, Cardinal Land Conservancy (January 2022)
Published:6 April 2025 · Updated by:Volcoholics Team