Big Bear bald eaglets names announced — Jackie and Shadow’s chicks christened Sandy and Luna in student vote honoring Sandy Steers
Big Bear Lake, California (High Desert News Online) — Friends of Big Bear Valley announced Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 eaglets are named Sandy and Luna after a public drive and a final vote by Big Bear Valley third-grade students that followed nearly 63,915 submitted name suggestions.
- Names chosen: Chick 1 — Sandy (30 student votes); Chick 2 — Luna (25 votes). Runners-up included Star and Chip (22 each) and Phoenix (18).
- Public participation: Nearly 63,915 name submissions; Sandy was the single most common submission with 3,706 entries.
- Tribute and education: The name Sandy honors the late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers and involved local third graders as final voters.
- Viewing & follow-up: Fans can watch the 24-hour nest cam on the FOBBV YouTube channel and view regular updates, including a recent video update.
How the Big Bear bald eaglets names were chosen
The naming process, led by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), combined a national public submission drive with a local student vote. The public fundraiser/name-drive collected 63,915 gender-neutral name suggestions. From that list, FOBBV randomly selected 30 names to appear on ballots distributed to Big Bear Valley third-grade classes, who study bald eagles as part of their curriculum and cast the deciding votes.
Third graders selected Sandy for the April 4 hatchling (30 votes) and Luna for the April 5 hatchling (25 votes). FOBBV released the vote totals and named runners-up: Star and Chip (22 each) and Phoenix (18). Reporting and organizational details are available via ABC7, LAist, and Popular Science.
A Sandy Steers tribute woven into voting results
“Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her.”
The selection of Sandy carried special meaning. The name was the most commonly submitted public entry (3,706 submissions) and was later chosen by local students for Chick 1. Sandy Steers, the longtime FOBBV executive director who launched the 24-hour eagle nest cam in 2015, died in February 2026 after a battle with cancer. FOBBV noted that the tribute aligned with Steers’ focus on public engagement and wildlife education; sources include ABC7 and LAist.
Observing Jackie and Shadow’s chicks: growth, behavior and ID tips
The two eaglets have grown rapidly. Hatchlings that weighed about 2 ounces have approached nearly 3 pounds each in under a month — a normal, rapid growth pattern for bald eagles that reflects effective parental care at the nest. Sexes are not yet known; reliable sexing typically occurs at roughly 9–10 weeks of age.
Observers and FOBBV volunteers have noted subtle differences to help tell Sandy and Luna apart: Sandy (April 4) has appeared larger with a bigger head and neck and a slight curve to the gape and was described as more submissive; Luna (April 5) has appeared slightly smaller and more aggressive early on. Those traits may change as the eaglets mature. See the video update and reporting from LAist for observational details.
Public viewing: how to follow the nest live
The 24-hour Big Bear eagle nest cam remains the primary portal for fans worldwide. Watch the live stream and regular nest updates on the FOBBV YouTube channel. FOBBV has posted updates describing Sandy as a “socialite” and Luna as “laid-back,” and the group posts frequent nest updates for followers.
Why the naming matter matters: community, education and fundraising
FOBBV’s naming effort achieved multiple goals: it connected conservation education to local classrooms by involving third graders in a real-world vote, it turned a public submission drive into a fundraising and community-building exercise that drew nearly 64,000 entries, and it created a public tribute to a beloved local leader that reinforced long-term support for habitat protection and wildlife programming.
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic impact: The nest cam and resulting coverage provide steady, free exposure for Big Bear and the High Desert region, benefiting tourism-related businesses and nonprofit fundraising tied to conservation programming.
Political and civic consequences: The student voting model underscores a local approach to civics and stewardship—pairing education, community institutions and tributes to local leadership in ways that resonate across political lines.
Social and cultural effects: Jackie and Shadow’s nest serves as a shared cultural touchstone, strengthening local identity and providing a wholesome, unifying narrative for families, schools and residents.
Practical applications: Teachers can use the live feed for lessons, nonprofits can leverage interest for volunteer and donor recruitment, and local businesses can feature Big Bear’s wildlife offerings in travel promotions.
Reporting and sources
This report preserves facts and totals provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley and compiled reporting from multiple outlets. Primary reporting and updates are available from: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science, VVNG, and FOBBV’s updates on YouTube, including the nest video update and the FOBBV YouTube channel.
