Before Harriet the eagle went missing, she gained webcam following, appeared in 'Moms' movie

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·6 min read
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You might detect an extra sense of patriotism in the air — June 20 is National Bald Eagle Day.

Florida has one of the densest concentrations of the national bird in the country with an estimated 1,500 nesting bald eagle pairs, including Southwest Florida Eagle Cam's own Harriet's nest.

From raising eaglets to causing entanglements, Harriet the Eagle has stolen the attention and hearts of those who have watched her over the past 11 years, which has made her sudden disappearance in February all the more heartbreaking.

What to know about Harriet: Southwest Florida Eagle Cam: Everything to know as the season gradually comes to a close

In celebration of National Eagle Day, here are some fun facts about the late Southwest Florida animal icon:

Harriet the bald eagle was first spotted in the 1990s

According to a former News-Press interview with Andy Pritchett, a pair of bald eagles, which Pritchett assumes to be Harriet and former mate Ozzie, were first documented nesting in a tree on Donald Road in North Fort Myers in the early 1990s.

This would remain their home each season until 2003 their nesting tree was killed on purpose when someone used a machete or ax to remove bark from the pine’s trunk. The eagles then built a nest in a slash pine tree on the Pritchett property on Bayshore Road, where it would remain their home for the next 16 years.

Eagles prefer forested habitats for nesting and roosting, as well as expanses of shallow fresh or salt water for foraging. Nesting habitat generally consists of mature canopy trees located along habitat edges, like the Pritchett McSpadden Property, providing an unobstructed view of surrounding areas.

A millennial — Harriet the bald eagle was well over 25 years old when she disappeared

Since she was first discovered in the 90s, eagle experts theorized her age to be anywhere from 25 to 30 years.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, eagles in the wild live between 20 and 30 years. The FWC gives a more specific timeframe, saying a bald eagle in the wild may live up to 28 years.

Harriet the bald eagle had laid 22 eggs over the course of 11 seasons

While not much is known about all the fledglings prior to the live streams establishment, Harriet had laid nearly a dozen eggs over 11 years. In those seasons, 19 had hatched and fully fledged into adulthood.

A bald eagle's breeding season may extend to late April or May when young are able to fledge and fly away. Eagles usually produce one brood per nesting season but may re-nest if the first clutch is lost. Like Harriet's, an eagle's nests are quite large and typically located less than two miles from water.

Multiple books have been written about Harriet the bald eagle's life

Following the story of the nest, multiple authors and photographers have put pen to paper to write books about Harriet. Livestream co-founder, Ginnie Pritchett McSpadden, joined forces with local graphic designer Brittany Cobb have written two books about the matriarch, "A Day with Harriet," and "Harriet's Next Adventure."

Lee County author Lauren Roberts has written up three books about the bird, telling the News-Press that she came up with the ideas when she would think up dialogue for the eagles while watching the live stream.

"I said, 'OK, you know what he's saying? He's saying to Harriet,' and I would say what I thought Ozzie was saying to Harriet," Roberts said. "So my husband said to me, 'Why don't you just write about them?' Because he enjoyed hearing what I had in my mind of what they were thinking."

As the search for an infamous Southwest Florida bald eagle continues and its owners await her return, a local author is reflecting on Harriet's inspiration. Lauren Roberts, 63, of Lee County, said she discovered her passion for wildlife when she began monitoring three nests.
As the search for an infamous Southwest Florida bald eagle continues and its owners await her return, a local author is reflecting on Harriet's inspiration. Lauren Roberts, 63, of Lee County, said she discovered her passion for wildlife when she began monitoring three nests.

Photographer Marti Lord has written at least four related books ― "E9's Epic Adventure (SWFL Famous Eaglet);" "In Loving Memory of E14 – Mr. Sassy Pants;" "Part One: Miracle in the Pines – An Eagles Love Story;" and "Part Two: Miracle in the Pines – An Eagles Love Story."

Harriet the bald eagle (sort of) appears on 'Moms Night Out' movie, her Hollywood debut

Harriet and her tiny family have won the hearts of local and national animal lovers alike but in 2014, also struck a chord with those on the set of "Mom's Night Out."

The movie focuses on young mom Allyson, played by Grey's Anatomy's Sarah Drew, as she has a crazy night out with her friends, while her husband, played by Sean Austin watches their children. Along with sitcom legend Patricia Heaton and singer Trace Adkinz, the movie discusses themes of parenthood and faith.

In the comedy, there is a running gag with the characters in the film where they're hooked on watching a live feed of the eagle in her nest, tending to her chicks. In the corner, eagle-eyed viewers can spot the SFEC logo in the corner.

Forget 'Twilight' or 'The Hunger Games.' Harriet the bald eagle had her own love triangle

Back in 2015, Ozzie was found unable to fly near the railroad tracks in Fort Myers and taken to the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel; X-rays showed a broken left clavicle and broken left coracoid bone, which is very important for flight.

According to News-Press reports, Ozzie was injured in a fight with another male eagle, believed to have been Harriet's eventual mate, M-15 (short for Male 2015). He was later released back into the wild at the end of the season.

With the start of the next brooding season and no sign of Ozzie yet, The News-Press then reported that Harriet and M-15 became closer than ever, causing quite the scandal by mating. Ozzie returned to find his mate with another eagle and reportedly got into another fight with M-15 — this time fatal.

Ozzie succumbed to his injuries and died on Sept. 29.

Harriet the bald eagle saw nationwide support following her disappearance

A sign was placed at the nest site at Dick Pritchett Realty honoring Harriet. Harriet is the mother to dozens of eaglets who have grown up on camera through the SWFL Eagle Cam. She disappeared in early February and is presumed dead.
A sign was placed at the nest site at Dick Pritchett Realty honoring Harriet. Harriet is the mother to dozens of eaglets who have grown up on camera through the SWFL Eagle Cam. She disappeared in early February and is presumed dead.

Harriet was last seen on Feb. 2, flying northwest to chase off intruders, the animal icon not returning to her nest and family on Bayshore Road since.

Thousands of fans have mourned the disappearance of Harriet and what might have happened to her, as well as concern for M-15 and the young E21 and E22 eaglets. Dozen made the person trip to the nest, putting up signs around the nest in memorial of the matriarch.

In the months since the tragedy, the support has only gained momentum with fan pages and social media sites ramping up support for the eagle family. Several posts and articles have applauded M-15 for tackling the nest by himself, as well as zeroing in on the accomplishments of the two final eaglets.

In the midst of the new milestones, Harriet's memory has not been lost, only strengthen by each live stream and new post.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SWFL Eagle Cam: Harriet the eagle disappeared. Why we love her