25-04-2025
Duck takes over DNR's EagleCam nest, lays eggs
It's a twist that would make Tex Avery proud: a duck has temporarily taken over the nest featured on Minnesota's EagleCam.
The state Department of Natural Resources, which operates the camera, said a female mallard appeared in the eagle nest on April 13 and staff noticed eggs in the nest three days later.
Minnesota DNR
All of the eggs will hatch on the same day sometime in mid-May, according to the DNR. The mother will then lead them to water.
"Mallard chicks are resilient and should survive the drop to the ground," the DNR said.
The DNR debuted a new EagleCam late last year after the nest previously featured collapsed to the ground following an April 2023 snowstorm. The featured eagle couple soon departed the spotlighted nest, though, finding finer digs nearby. The female eagle laid two eggs in February and as of March 9 the birds were still incubating them, according to the DNR. There's been no update since.
