Southwest Florida’s most famous eagles are parents again.

Eaglets E17 and E18 hatched into the world on Saturday exactly two hours apart, making it the shortest time span between hatchings for Harriet and mate M15.

One egg hatched a little later than expected, while the other came a little earlier.

E17 started to “pip” about a day later than scheduled, but emerged from its shell rather quickly after the pip, or first break in the shell, was seen at 8:32 a.m. Saturday morning. The chick hatched at 4:41 p.m. with nearly 7,000 viewers watching on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam.

While that was happening, E18 started to pip, which was discovered at around 2:15 p.m. Saturday. That moment was also caught on the eagle cam as you could see a small piece of the shell crack open while Harriet was rolling the eggs. E18 hatched at 6:41 p.m, with an assist from Harriet just after sunset.

Andrew Pritchett said having the two eaglets hatch so close to each other is a first for the eagle cam.

“It’s exciting to watch. It’s something we haven’t seen before and it was great to see,” Pritchett said.

The 2020-21 eagle season started a month later than usual in the nest off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers because the previous two eaglets didn’t leave the nest until late summer. The eggs were laid at 4:58 p.m. on Dec. 16, and Dec. 19 at 4:45 p.m., respectively.

What happens next? According to the American Eagle Foundation, after hatching, the eaglet will dry off and fluff up to a downy gray. Food will be offered to the eaglets by the parents, who shreds meat off fish or whatever is available.

Tiny pieces will be offered as the eaglet struggles to hold its wobbly head still long enough to take the food. The eaglets will often fight for their food, with the bigger eaglet usually getting food.

Fratricide, where one eaglet kills the other, is very rare but, when it happens, the adult eagles will not stop it.

Pritchett said that with both eaglets born so close, that won’t be an issue, though sibling rivalry will be a factor. Indeed, both eaglets fought to a draw during feeding time in the nest.

“It’s going to be unique watching them grow up together. There is sibling rivalry and it will be interesting seeing them born so close how they progress,” Pritchett said.

When first born, they are covered with down, and so light they almost appear white. By the time they are 9 to 11 days old, the first down is replaced by a second down which is much darker in color.

Harriet and M15 will continue to lay on them to keep them warm for a few weeks until they can regulate their own temperature. They will begin to grow feathers during the fourth week.

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam may be viewed at https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/ .