2 Pittsburgh eaglets hatch same day; 3rd eaglet a possibility

The Pittsburgh Hays bald eagle family might be unusually large this season as two eggs hatched successfully Tuesday and a third hatch is possible, said an Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania spokeswoman.

Now in their ninth year together, the Hays bald eagle couple has only once before raised three young. That was in 2014, the first year that a live webcam was installed near their nest by PixCams and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Audubon and PixCams sponsor the current live Hays nest webcam.

A third eaglet is in the offing this breeding season as both parents are brooding the two eaglets — their 13th and 14th — and a third egg.

In years past, the Hays couple has produced three eggs but only two have hatched.

While it’s unusual for two eggs to hatch on the same day for the Hays pair, two eggs is the average clutch in the state for known bald eagle nests, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“The third egg was laid on Feb. 19, and it takes at least 35 days for the egg to hatch. So that egg is not even expected to hatch until at least this Friday,” said Rachel Handel, Audubon spokeswoman.

Bald eagle eggs typically hatch between 35-38 days after it’s laid, according to Audubon.

Both parents will switch off to continuously keep the eaglets warm, feed them, and brood their remaining egg.