Eaglets visible on state DNR's eagle cam

The eaglets have hatched.

An eagle laid three eggs in January in a Twin Cities nest visible through a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) camera set up at the site.

On Tuesday morning, the three eaglets were all feeding from the mouth of either their mother or father. Both the male and female eagles gather food and help incubate their young.

The first eaglet started to pip, break through the shell of its egg, at the beginning of the month so they're no more than two weeks old. Don't assume the worst if the eaglets aren't all visible. Just keep checking and eventually, the fluffy, wriggling gray puffs will come into view.

In the meantime, the DNR camera provides a spectacular up-close view of the adult eagles who take turns guarding their brood and collecting food to keep a surplus in the nest. Fish, duck and pigeon are favorites.

If the smallest eaglet appears to be struggling for food, that's ok because it's part of the process that ensures strength to fly the nest.

The DNR provides lots of information about the eagles on its website and encourages Minnesotans to donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund at tax time. The program pays for the eagle cam.