F23, believed to be dead, left behind his partner and an eagle.
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Thousands of birdwatchers are left heartbroken after Florida’s famous eagle is presumed dead after being missing for several days. The sad news came just days after the eagle’s mother adopted him along with his friends.
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam, which is based in Fort Myers, Florida, about 254 miles northwest of Miami and broadcasts mating pairs of bald eagles, announced on Tuesday, March 3, that the female eagle, known as F23, may have died after a dead eagle was found two miles from its nest. She was a member of the eagle family known as “M15.”
“Today is a very sad day for our community,” Southwest Florida Eagle Cam said in a Facebook post. “We were lucky enough to observe F23 for only two and a half seasons, but in that short time her eagerness to learn, dedication to M, and care for eagles was undeniable.”
The livestream shows that they are awaiting confirmation that the dead eagle is indeed F23, but it is presumed dead due to its proximity to the nest and the timing of the eagle’s discovery. The cause of death has not been made public.
When did F23 go missing?
Livestream announced on social media on Sunday, March 1, that F23 has not been in view of cameras since 8:12 a.m. on Friday, February 27.
According to social media posts, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Clinic for Wildlife Rehabilitation (CROW) were notified of F23’s disappearance.
It was the third season that the F23 was combined with the M15. The previous year had been particularly difficult for the avian couple. The couple both contracted bird flu, and this was after two of their eagles died from bird flu in January 2025. Father and mother have recovered.
We celebrated E26 in December.
It wasn’t the first mate who lost the M15.
Since F23 disappeared, her companion M15 has been taking care of the eagles on his own, but raising a child alone is nothing new for him.
In 2023, M15’s companion of eight years, Harriet, disappears, leaving M15 to raise two eagles until they can fly on their own.
Fans mourn the loss of F23
Fans shared their sadness in the comments section of the livestream announcement.
One fan commented: “Oh this is so sad and shocking.”
Another said: “I can’t let it happen a third time.” “I get too attached.”
Some commenters remembered F23 as a good mother, while others praised M15’s dedication to the eagle.
Watch the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam livestream
The livestream of the eagle, which captured the bird from four separate cameras, attracted more than 233 million viewers worldwide.
You can watch the livestream on our website or on YouTube.
Julia Gomez is USA TODAY’s trends reporter, covering popular toys, scientific research, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn ×Instagram, TikTok: @juliamariegz or email jgomez@gannett.com..
Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Contact him at thousein@usatodayco.com..
