Big Bear bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow welcome two new eaglets, watched live by thousands
Big Bear Lake, California (High Desert News Online) — Jackie and Shadow, the well-known bald eagle pair, have welcomed two new eaglets in their San Bernardino National Forest nest, hatched late Saturday night and early Sunday, events livestreamed and followed by thousands on the nest cam.
- Two eaglets hatched: first ~9:30 p.m. Saturday; second just before 9 a.m. Sunday (CBS News).
- Pipping began Friday: pipping can precede full emergence by 24–48 hours (Friends of Big Bear Valley; CBS News).
- Earlier losses, second clutch: two of four eggs were destroyed in a raven raid; Jackie laid a second clutch on Feb. 24 and Feb. 27 (Fox LA).
Hatching and the first hours
The sequence began with a pip Friday. Volunteers monitoring the Big Bear nest observed the first pip — the initial break in the eggshell that allows the chick to start breathing — and nest-mic audio captured small chirps from inside the shell (Friends of Big Bear Valley; CBS News).
Volunteers reminded viewers that a chick is not considered hatched until it is fully free of its eggshell. The first eaglet completed that process late Saturday night; the second pipped soon after and hatched roughly 12 hours later, just before 9 a.m. Sunday. On the livestream, a parent covered the new chicks with its body to provide warmth shortly after they saw sunlight for the first time (Fox LA).
Jackie and Shadow: the local story behind the nest cam
Jackie (born ~2012) and Shadow (~2014) have nested near Big Bear Lake for years and are familiar to locals and statewide viewers. Friends of Big Bear Valley operates the nest camera that streams courtship, brooding, feeding and fledging to the public.
The pair have successfully raised eaglets in prior seasons — including fledglings in 2019, 2022 and 2025 — and community members have named past offspring (for example, Sunny and Gizmo). Background on the pair is compiled on the Jackie and Shadow page.
Life in the nest: what comes next for the chicks
Newly hatched eaglets are fragile but grow rapidly. Experts and FOBBV say eaglets can reach about three feet in height in roughly two months thanks to frequent feedings and intensive parental care.
In the coming days and weeks viewers should expect: frequent feedings, brooding behavior to keep chicks warm, and vigilant nest defense. Recent footage showed Shadow defending the area from a hawk and Jackie bringing fish to the nest — routine behaviors that are vital for chick survival (Fox LA).
Why people are watching: the eagle nest cam Big Bear and community engagement
The livestream has turned Jackie and Shadow into community figures. The nest cam draws viewers who tune in for both dramatic moments and quiet behaviors, and it helps local organizations like Friends of Big Bear Valley connect with the public on education and stewardship.
The camera is also a monitoring tool: volunteers use it to detect disturbances, predator visits, and signs of adult or chick health issues; the public gains a way to follow along without visiting the nest and risking disturbance (Big Bear blog).
Sources and verification
This report is based on updates, livestream observations and local reporting from:
- Friends of Big Bear Valley — nest livestream and updates
- CBS Los Angeles — hatch timeline and reporting
- Fox LA — updates on pipping and nest activity
- Jackie and Shadow — compiled background
- Big Bear visitor information and blog
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic impact
The nest cam and seasonal hatches provide a tourism lift for local businesses: streaming audiences and media coverage often translate to short-term visits to lodges, restaurants and tour operators. While not a year-round driver, hatch periods can increase bookings and retail traffic, benefiting shops that sell optics and nature tours (Big Bear blog).
Political and management consequences
Public attention reinforces the need for cooperation with federal and state protections for bald eagles. The livestream provides transparency that can assist enforcement and management when nest disturbances occur, and it encourages officials to maintain habitat protections and support volunteer monitoring (Friends of Big Bear Valley).
Social effects
The nest cam fosters volunteerism and civic pride; residents donate time and money to keep monitoring efforts active. Schools and youth programs use the live footage for ecology lessons and wildlife stewardship, widening access to nature education in the High Desert.
Cultural relevance
Jackie and Shadow have become local symbols of resilience and connection to open spaces. Coverage centered on stewardship and neighborhood engagement tends to unite diverse audiences around shared values of conservation and responsible land use.
Practical applications for residents
- How to watch: Follow the nest via the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream.
- Do no harm: Avoid visiting the nest site in person; the livestream allows observation without disturbance.
- Report concerns: If you see evidence of disturbance or poaching, report it to wildlife authorities and law enforcement; nest-cam footage can aid investigations.
- Support stewardship: Donate or volunteer with groups that monitor the nest to help keep the camera and protections in place (Friends of Big Bear Valley).
“The arrival of these two eaglets continues a local tradition of close viewing and community involvement, renewing interest in wildlife stewardship and offering a shared, hopeful story for residents and visitors alike.”
Source material: Friends of Big Bear Valley; CBS News; Fox LA; Wikipedia; Big Bear blog.
