Beloved Florida bald eagle presumed dead after going missing

The eagle mom had just welcomed an eaglet with her mate before disappearing.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A famous bald eagle known as F23, who was part of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam livestream, is presumed dead after going missing for several days. F23 had just welcomed an eaglet with her mate, M15, but her body was found two miles away from the nest. The cause of death has not been released, but the livestream community is devastated by the loss of the devoted eagle mom.

Why it matters

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has attracted over 233 million viewers worldwide, making F23 and her mate M15 beloved figures in the birdwatching community. F23's presumed death is a tragic loss, especially since she had just given birth to a new eaglet that now must be raised by the surviving parent, M15, on his own.

The details

F23 was last seen on the livestream on February 27th. Her mate, M15, has been caring for their new eaglet alone since her disappearance. The body of an eagle was found two miles away from the nest, and the livestream operators believe it is likely F23 based on the timing and location, though they are awaiting confirmation. This is the third time M15 has lost a mate, after the disappearance of his previous partner Harriet in 2023.

  • F23 was last seen on the livestream on February 27th.
  • The body of an eagle was found two miles away from the nest on March 3rd.

The players

F23

A female bald eagle who was part of the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam livestream. She had just welcomed a new eaglet with her mate, M15, before going missing and being presumed dead.

M15

The male bald eagle who was mated with F23. He is now caring for their new eaglet alone after F23's presumed death, which marks the third time he has lost a mate.

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam

A livestream that broadcasts a mated pair of bald eagles in Fort Myers, Florida, and has attracted over 233 million viewers worldwide.

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What they’re saying

“This is a deeply sad day for our community. We were blessed to observe F23 for just two and a half seasons, but in that short time, her eagerness to learn, her devotion to M, and her care for her eaglets were unmistakable.”

— Southwest Florida Eagle Cam (Facebook)

What’s next

The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is awaiting confirmation that the deceased eagle found is indeed F23, and a cause of death has not yet been released.

The takeaway

The presumed death of the beloved bald eagle F23 has devastated the large community of birdwatchers who have followed her story on the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam livestream. Her loss is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by wildlife, even in the face of growing public interest and concern for their wellbeing.