Two eaglets hatch in Hanover nest

Two bald eaglets hatched in a nest at Codorus State Park broadcast on a 24-7 Hanover Eagle Cam livestream hosted by HDOnTap and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

The hatchlings — or "little bobble-heads "— joined their parents last week, said Karen Lippy, Hanover eagle expert. The first hatched around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 4; the second followed early Saturday morning, April 6. 

Based on an online contest, their names will likely be Stars and Stripes — keeping up with their patriotic parents, Liberty and Freedom. 

Now that they're out of their shells, the "bunking begins," Lippy said. The eagles will bunk each other on the head as they determine which will become the dominant bird. The older eagle is asserting dominance for now, but that may change as it has in the past, Lippy said. 

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As the eagles age it will be easier to determine their sex. Based on behavior and size, eagle cam viewers can tell a male from a female, with females growing larger, Lippy said. 

In around six weeks, the public can expect to see the eaglets "exercising their wings," she said. 

If all goes well this season, Stars and Stripes will become the 19th and 20th eagles to fledge in the Hanover nest since 2004, she said.