The raptor world is eagerly watching UC Berkeley's peregrine falcon live webcam Wednesday after two eggs hatched Monday and Tuesday — and there are still two left to go.

The falcon family is perched atop the Campanile, or the university's clock tower, with parents Annie and Lou taking turns keeping the eggs and newest chicks warm.

Typically, Annie hatches three eggs. If all eggs hatch, it would be a first for Annie, who Tim Stroshane says has been hatching eggs on top of Campanile since 2017.

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Stroshane is a volunteer with Cal Falcons. He and his wife began volunteering for recovery groups in the 1970s when the couple first worked with the Predatory Bird Research Group at UC Santa Cruz.

He told our sister station KCRA that during his time volunteering with the group, peregrines were "few and far between."

"It's been a thrill of my adult life that these birds have made it back and that my wife Jan and I are able to contribute to monitoring their behavior," Stroshane said.

As the world waits for the next egg to hatch, Stroshane says the predatory raptor species was actually on the brink of extinction not too long ago.

In the 1970s, the United States government banned the pesticide DDT, one of the primary reasons for the peregrine falcon's near extinction.

Since then, Stroshane said people have worked to manage the recovery of the species' population.

"And what we're seeing with the arrival of the nesting pair at the Campanile is some of the successes of that management effort," he said.

The three webcams atop the Campanile, which are available to the public 24/7, are also an important addition for scientists to study the birds.

"It gives people, it gives the public, the scientists, a window into the lives of these birds. And it's a remarkable thing," Stroshane said.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, able to reach diving speeds that exceed 200 miles per hour.

Stroshane said the bird relies on an element of surprise due to the speeds it can attain.

Although humans may be mesmerized by peregrine falcons' speed, Stroshane said there's another element most people can relate to — the way the birds work as a family unit.

The webcam is able to give the public an inside look at the division of labor between males and females, and the way they share duties.

"The male will sometimes brood the eggs, you know, lay on the eggs and the female will perhaps take a break and go hunt and bring food back and then feed the chicks and then reassume the brooding duties," he said.

The nation's egg producers are in the midst of a multibillion-dollar shift to cage-free eggs that is dramatically changing the lives of millions of hens in response to new laws and demands from restaurant chains.

In a decade, the percentage of hens in cage-free housing has soared from 4% in 2010 to 28% in 2020, and that figure is expected to more than double to about 70% in the next four years. The change marks one of the animal welfare movement's biggest successes after years of battles with the food industry.

The transition has cost billions of dollars for producers who initially resisted calls for more humane treatment of chickens but have since fully embraced the new reality.

One leader at the nation's second-largest egg producer said it's time to listen to customers.

Marcus Rust, the CEO of Rose Acre Farms in Indiana said, “What we producers failed to realize early on was that the people funding all the animal rights activist groups, they were our customers. And at the end of the day, we have to listen to our customers.” 

McDonalds shifted to buying cage-free eggs after finding that customers preferred them. The fast-food giant buys around 2 billion eggs each year.

EMMETT, Idaho — The holiday season is fast approaching, serving as a reminder that Santa's helpers are everywhere.

In Idaho, one young boy is making sure no kid is forgotten by raising money and delivering good cheer by the dozen.

While taking care of his chickens several months ago, 7-year-old Jayden Gabbard decided he wanted to give back to his community.

Jayden is donating eggs from his family farm to help buy toys for other kids.

"He kind of came in and said, 'Hey, I was going to sell my eggs' for his PS5, is what he wanted to save money for, and it kind of turned into, 'Can I give it to Toys for Tots?'" Jayden's dad, Mike Gabbard, said.

Earlier this year, father and son put up banners and spread the word on Facebook.

The project hasn't been without its challenges — including run-ins with predators.

"We had a fox that hit us right at the beginning of June and it wiped out 10 to 12 of our laying stock." Mike Gabbard said.

"I was, felt a little sad when my turkey died and all of my 10 chickens died," Jayden said.

Even with the setback, Jayden didn't slow down — and his cystic fibrosis couldn't slow him down either. The genetic illness damages the lungs and digestive system.

"He takes an ungodly number of pills every day," Jayden's dad said.

Gabbard says he knew even before his son was born that they would face the challenge together. They do that by bonding together on the farm, taking care of the animals, and helping those who need it.

If you would like to help Jayden and Toys for Tots this holiday season, click here.

This story was originally published by Kristen Skovira on Scripps station KIVI in Boise, Idaho.

CINCINNATI — Aglamesis Bros. Ice Cream and Candy Company offers sweet treats all year round, but this time of year they offer chocolate bunnies and crosses as well as cream eggs to make anyone's Easter that much tastier.

"It's just the feel of the place," Nancy Gottschalk, who has been coming to the store since she was a teenager, said. "Aglamesis is an institution."

Some adults have memories from their childhood of Jim "Mr. A" Aglamesis in his signature white coat wrapping their Easter candy for them.

Randy Young, the current president of the business and stepson of Algamesis, said Aglamesis was still very active in the business well into his 90s.

However, this is the first Easter celebration for the shop since Aglamesis died.

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"He's still here," Young said. "Our traditions are kept alive and he's still here. He's still here; we all feel him. We know he's looking down, and watching over us, and making sure we're doing it right."

There is still time to stop in to the shop and pick up some Easter candy before Sunday. The store is open Saturday, but they are closed on Sunday.