Big Bear Lake’s resident bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, have successfully hatched two eaglets. The first chick emerged around 11:25 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, followed by the second soon after. The third egg, laid later than the others, remains unhatched but is still within the normal hatching window.
Historically, bald eagles visited Big Bear only during winter months, seeking food when northern lakes froze over. However, in 2012, a pair named Ricky and Lucy became the first recorded eagles to hatch a chick, named Jack, in Big Bear Valley. This chick was later identified as female and renamed Jackie. In 2015, Ricky and Lucy raised another chick, named Shadow by local students. Jackie and Shadow have since formed a pair, becoming permanent residents of the area.
In recent years, Jackie and Shadow faced challenges in their breeding attempts. In 2024, they laid three eggs, but none successfully hatched.
Despite these setbacks, the pair’s dedication remained steadfast, culminating in this year’s successful hatching.
The eaglets are currently under the attentive care of their parents. The Friends of Big Bear Valley operate live feeds capturing the nest’s activity, allowing bird enthusiasts worldwide to observe the family’s progress.
This live feed is owned and operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a 501c3 nonprofit. For questions: https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/ . Thank you!
The nest is located in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. It is about 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree. It is the current home for Jackie & Shadow, a local bald eagle pair.
You can watch them live on YouTube:
