D.C.'s new baby bald eagles get patriotic names

WASHINGTON D.C.-- Two baby bald eagles at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. have been officially named "Freedom and "Liberty" following a "Name the Nestlings" social media campaign.

News media outlets quote the American Eagle Foundation as saying that more than 36,000 people voted on five different name pairings selected on the Friends of the National Arboretum Facebook page: Stars and Stripes, Freedom and Liberty, Anacostia and Potomac, Honor and Glory, and Cherry and Blossom.

Voting was held from April 19 through April 24.

Following the vote, eagle experts with several private groups and government agencies picked the names and made the announcement Tuesday.

The foundation and arboretum launched the live streaming D.C. Eagle Cam after the parents -- nicknamed "Mr. President" and "The First Lady" -- laid two eggs in February.

Proud parents Mr. President and the First Lady. CBS News

They're the first mating pair to nest in Washington D.C.'s National Arboretum, in nearly 70 years.

"People are really just emotionally connected to this because it's a shared group experience," said the District's wildlife biologist Dan Rauch to CBS News' Jericka Duncan last month. "I've been studying birds for now over 14 years and I've never had the opportunity to see a bald eagle hatch like this."

Jen Keefe is among the many fans, who couldn't turn away from the Eagle Cam. She explained why so many people are obsessed with the D.C. Eagle Cam.

"I think because it's the American bald eagle," Keefe said. "Our nation has always loved that bird. It's our national symbol and it's funny that they're in the capital."

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