Jackie and Shadow eaglets hatch: Big Bear Lake bald eagles welcome two new chicks as fans watch live
Beloved Big Bear Lake bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have hatched two eaglets from a 2026 replacement clutch, with the first emerging early April 5 and the second about 12 hours later — livestreamed worldwide by Friends of Big Bear Valley.
- Two eaglets hatched from Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 replacement clutch; the first emerged early April 5 and the second just before 9 a.m. the same day.
- Original clutch lost to ravens: Jackie’s first four eggs were reduced after a raven raid; two replacement eggs were laid Feb. 24 and Feb. 27.
- Live coverage: Friends of Big Bear Valley’s 24/7 livestream and social updates tracked the pip and hatch in real time.
- Conservation questions: The egg losses underscore predator risk and the balance between public monitoring and nest protection.
Key information
Who: Jackie and Shadow, the well-known wild bald-eagle pair nesting near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest.
What: Two eaglets hatched from a 2026 replacement clutch; the first chick showed an external pip Friday and fully emerged early Sunday, April 5, while the second hatched roughly 12 hours later.
Where: Nest near Big Bear Lake, monitored and livestreamed by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).
Sources: Friends of Big Bear Valley; Fox LA; ABC7; Wikipedia; BigBear.com.
Background on Jackie and Shadow
Jackie and Shadow are a wild pair of bald eagles that nest near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest. Fans worldwide have followed their lives since 2018 when the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley installed a continuous nest camera. The livestream and updates have made the pair local icons and a focus of public interest.
Age estimates: Jackie was likely born around 2012 and Shadow around 2014. The pair has successfully raised chicks in 2019, 2022 and 2025, including birds known as Sunny and Gizmo.
2026 nesting season: timeline and threats
This season began with a first clutch of four eggs. While the adults were briefly away, ravens attacked and destroyed two eggs — a known risk when parent eagles leave to hunt. In response, Jackie laid replacement eggs on Feb. 24 and Feb. 27.
FOBBV organized a public “pip watch” as the eggs neared hatching. A pip marks the chick breaking the internal membrane and shell; after that moment it can still take 24–48 hours for a chick to fully free itself and be considered hatched.
Pip, hatch and the early hours
The first egg showed an external pip on Friday. Nest-camera video and audio captured the chick’s chirps after the initial pip; by Saturday evening the chick was visible pushing from its shell. FOBBV reminded viewers that a chick is only officially hatched once completely out of the eggshell.
“The chick has popped its head out of the shell to say a happy hatch day to mom and dad!” — Friends of Big Bear Valley Facebook update
The first eaglet fully emerged early Sunday morning, April 5, after the long pip-and-peck process. The second egg pippped and hatched just before 9 a.m., about 12 hours later. After the second hatch, one adult sheltered both chicks to keep them warm as they saw sunlight for the first time.
Care and early development
In the days after hatching, priority tasks are warmth, protection and feeding. Parent eagles feed chicks pieces of fish and other prey; FOBBV documented Jackie eating a large fish handed to her by Shadow during a shift change the Friday before the hatch, a behavior that helps maintain steady feeding during incubation and brooding.
Eaglets grow rapidly and can reach roughly three feet in height in just over two months. FOBBV’s live audio and video provide close observation of feeding, shifts and chick behavior — valuable both for public engagement and for researchers tracking early development.
Past successes and what this year adds
Jackie and Shadow have a record of successful nesting seasons; these new hatchlings add to their history of raising young in a populated region where the nest has become a community focal point. When the chicks fledge, they will contribute to local raptor populations and continued public interest in conservation.
Conservation and monitoring: investigation into nest security
Predator risk: The earlier loss of two eggs to ravens highlights nest vulnerability. Residents and viewers have asked whether nest locations can be better protected, but wildlife experts warn that direct intervention can harm eagles and may violate raptor protections.
Nonprofits and agencies generally favor monitoring, reporting illegal disturbance, and public education as the best tools. FOBBV’s public livestream has increased awareness and support but can also complicate protection by raising the risk of ill-advised human intervention.
Viewing the nest and following updates
Fans can watch Jackie and Shadow and the new eaglets on FOBBV’s 24/7 livestream. The nonprofit posts updates on its website and social channels, including Facebook, where it shared footage and commentary during the pip and hatch events.
Live stream and information: Live stream and information. Local coverage: Local coverage — Fox LA; Local coverage — ABC7.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic: The nest and livestream draw a global audience, keeping Big Bear Lake and the Inland Empire visible, supporting tourism, local businesses and nonprofit fundraising tied to wildlife education.
Political: The eagles’ visibility can influence regional policy conversations about habitat protection, forest management and wildlife funding, encouraging leaders to consider conservation measures.
Social and cultural: The livestream creates a shared community experience for schools, families and visitors, building local pride and a culture of stewardship around mountain and forest environments.
Practical advice: Residents and visitors should maintain respectful distance from nests, comply with state and federal protections, report disturbance, and support organizations like Friends of Big Bear Valley.
Notes on sources and continued coverage
This report is based on FOBBV livestream observations and updates, local broadcast coverage and background resources. For further reading and original sources, see:
- Friends of Big Bear Valley — nest page and livestream
- Fox LA coverage
- ABC7 coverage
- Wikipedia: Jackie and Shadow
- BigBear.com blog on Big Bear Lake bald eagles
Reporters will continue to follow the livestream and FOBBV updates as Jackie and Shadow care for their new eaglets.
