The famous Presidential First Family welcomed a baby eaglet on April 30. The eagles became famous after their journey was featured on a live cam.
Welcome to the world, DC6! The eaglet was born on April 30 right here at the National Arboretum. The mother and father made a home in a Tulip Poplar tree in the Azalea Collection in 2014 and have been living there ever since. Now they get to share their nest with an adorable and fuzzy addition. [gallery type="rectangular" size="full" ids="9074,9075,9076"] The mother and father have raised five baby eaglets in the nest since 2015. That is one busy family! DC6 gets its name because it is the sixth baby the pair have had. The parents are affectionately named Mr. President and The First Lady. DC6 might not be the most creative name, but the last two offspring were nicknamed Honor and Glory, so it might be getting a more exciting name soon.
DC6 should be welcoming a sibling soon. Three days after its egg was laid, The First Lady laid a second egg. You can watch a live cam of the eagles and the birth of DC6 here. The American Eagle Foundation began installing cameras and other equipment around the nesting tree in 2015. The American Eagle Foundation is a nonprofit "whose mission is to care for, restore, and protect the USA’s living symbol of Freedom, the Bald Eagle, and other birds of prey." The live cams are a cute way for the organization to help raise awareness for bald eagles.
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Bald eagles faced steep population declines in the past. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, there were only 487 bald eagle breeding pairs in 1963. During the last count in 2006, there were 9,789 breeding pairs. In fact, the nation's most iconic species was one on the brink of extinction. Now their population numbers are increasing, and the species is no longer considered "endangered." This is thanks to parents such as Mr. President and The First Lady and the hard work of the American Eagle Foundation.
You can support eagles by donating to the American Eagle Foundation here.
What do you think? What would you name DC6? Tell us in the comment section below!
