Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) – A long-standing D.C. power couple may be calling it quits right before Valentine’s day.

Liberty the bald eagle laid her first egg of the year Tuesday at the nest she and her partner of 14 years – Justice – share at the D.C. Police Academy. But Justice hasn’t been seen since the two mated Saturday, according to Tommy Lawrence with the Earth Conservation Corps, which tracks the eagles.

“It looks to be that there’s a younger male who fought justice off,” Lawrence said.

And that eagle, whom the ECC calls Aaron Burrd, has been flirting with Liberty, and someone saw the two mating at the nest, although out of view of the Eagle Cam.

The Eagle Cam did spot Aaron Burrd bringing a fish to the nest while Liberty was away. The good news is he did not hurt the egg, which the ECC believes is Justice’s. The bad news is he didn’t save any fish for Liberty.

Lawrence said the timeline indicates the egg is Justice’s, and it’s possible a second egg could come later this week that would also be his.

“That comes with a lot more drama because then you never know what the new male could do because they aren’t his eggs, so he could destroy them,” Lawrence said.

Even if the young eagle doesn’t destroy the egg or eggs, he won’t give Liberty any help taking care of it or them according to Lawrence.

He said it would be possible for Liberty to take care of this egg, and any others, on her own, but it would be difficult because there would be nobody to sit on the egg and keep it warm while she’s hunting for food.

Of course, there’s always the possibility she could get some help.

“We’re waiting for Justice’s triumphant return,” said Lawrence.

While the ECC hopes this love story has a happy ending, Lawrence said only time will tell if Justice will come back for his partner and egg.

Copyright 2019 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Earth Conservation Corps)