Thousands fixated as web camera shows bald eagles hatching their young

Birds of prey have become internet sensation

The Berry College eagles have become a sensation (Berry College)

Two bald eagles in the US state of Georgia have become something of parenting heroes after bird lovers set up a web camera that allowed people watch as their young hatched.

The eagles first nested in the campus of Georgia's Berry College in the spring of 2012, nesting in a 100-foot pine tree between the main entrance and the athletic centre, CNN reported. Soon, cameras were installed — one on the approach to the tree and two infrared cameras with direct views into the nest.

This year, the college added a third camera and thousands watched as two eggs were laid. And in recent days, large numbers of people around the world watched as those eggs hatched.

They have also seen the mother bird warming her hatchlings while the father hunts and bring back food.

“People are personally invested,” said Christine Reinolds Kozelle, director of news at Berry College. “You have this Truman Show-like experience. People want to be part of it and say they saw it happen. Plus they are so beautiful.”