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Bald Eagle Hatchling Is Area's First In Over 200 Years

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A pair of nesting eagles, on a hillside in Hays, have attracted a lot of attention.

Now, news that a chick hatched over the weekend has brought out the binoculars again.

The bald eagle and his mate are nesting on a hill, high above the Monongahela River. Recently, the birds' behaviors have changed.

Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill and volunteer Roy Bires have taken copious notes of the eagles' activities.

"Roy was the first to pick up the incubation, sort of posture and behavior of the female. In terms of seeing that the nest was not being left alone, that there was always a bird on the nest. And that was a good sign that eggs had been laid," Mulvihill said.

Sunday, the behaviors changed again.

It's the first known eagle hatchling in this area in 200 years. Patricia O'Neill of the National Aviary said it's a huge step forward.

"Thirty years ago, we had here in the state of Pennsylvania only two nesting pairs. Conservation efforts through the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other conservation organizations have enabled the nesting pairs of bald eagles to increase over 200," O'Neill said.

This is the first year for a nest that they'll return to, year after year, adding more and more material each time. As a matter of fact, Some eagles' nests have been known to eventually weigh more than a ton.

It's more than enough nest to hide newcomers from view, for now. When they do pop their heads out, it won't be a secret for long.

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