D.C. Eagles Mr. President & Lotus: No Eaglet for Second Year

For the second consecutive year, the National Arboretum's famous bald eagle pair, Mr. President and Lotus, has failed to produce a hatched eaglet. D.C. wildlife biologist Dan Rauch confirmed the absence of any chick in their nest, marking a significant disappointment for the popular feathered couple.

The lack of an eaglet this spring follows a similar failure in the previous year, leaving experts puzzled. While signs of incubation were observed earlier this spring, the nest remained vacant when checked. Possible explanations include predation on an egg or chick, developmental issues, or age-related fertility problems for Mr. President, who is 17 years old. Lotus is estimated to be around 9 years old.

The pair previously resided at a nest that was a popular subject of a 24-hour live webcam, but they relocated to a more secluded white oak tree overlooking the Langston Golf Course a few years ago. This new nest lacks a camera, making direct observation more challenging. Bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback nationally, with around 71,000 breeding pairs in the Lower 48 states, and were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Despite their resilience, the mystery of this specific breeding failure persists.