Jackie and Shadow’s brood grows: Two eaglets hatch on Big Bear nest, thrilling livestream viewers
Big Bear Lake, California — Fans worldwide rejoiced as famed bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglets late Saturday and early Sunday, with viewers following the dramatic pip watch via the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream.
- Two eaglets hatched: first hatched ~9:30 p.m. Saturday after an initial pip; second hatched just before 9 a.m. Sunday about 12 hours later (ABC7; FOX LA).
- Nest monitored live by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, which provides livestream and Facebook updates.
- Historic pair with setbacks: Jackie and Shadow have raised chicks in 2019, 2022 and 2025; their first clutch this season was lost to ravens before a successful second clutch (Wikipedia; Los Angeles Times).
First chirps, then hatches: what viewers saw
Viewers following the nest livestream first heard signs of life when an egg produced an external pip on Friday — the moment a chick breaches the internal membrane and takes its first breath. The Friends of Big Bear Valley notes that hatching can take 24–48 hours after an initial pip (ABC7).
“A pip is when the chick breaches the internal membrane of the egg and takes its first breath — a key moment that can precede full hatching by a day or two.”
After the pip and faint chirps captured on nest audio, the first eaglet fully emerged at roughly 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The second egg began pipping on Saturday and produced a second chick just before 9 a.m. Sunday, about 12 hours later (FOX LA).
Following the second hatch, a parent sheltered the new chicks with its body during early morning hours to keep them warm. FOBBV confirmed the hatchings via social updates though a formal statement was not immediately issued.
Nest history and this season’s setbacks
Jackie and Shadow are the only known bald eagle pair at Big Bear Lake and have occupied a monitored nest since 2017, becoming year-round residents by 2020 after taking over an abandoned nest near the nonprofit camera. Their livestream gained national attention after the camera went live in 2018 (Wikipedia; FOBBV).
This season began with heartbreak: the first clutch of four eggs was breached by ravens, destroying two eggs. Jackie then laid a second clutch with eggs on Feb. 24 and Feb. 27, producing the pips and eventual hatches that viewers observed. The pair has successfully raised eaglets in prior seasons, including chicks nicknamed Sunny and Gizmo (Los Angeles Times; Wikipedia).
Biology and behavior observed on camera
The livestream provided close-up lessons in eagle parenting: incubation shifts, fish deliveries, nest defense, and brooding newborn chicks. These behaviors align with known bald eagle parenting — frequent brooding in the first days after hatching, interspersed with short hunting trips. Nest audio captured chirping during pipping and in final hours before emergence, a sign of eaglets working to hatch (FOX LA; ABC7).
Growth expectations
Newly hatched eaglets are small and dependent but grow rapidly. FOBBV notes that young bald eagles can reach roughly three feet in height in a little more than two months. That rapid growth will require frequent feedings and careful brooding by Jackie and Shadow, and livestream volunteers regularly log feedings and development milestones (FOBBV; BigBear.com blog).
Public fascination and the role of the livestream
The nest livestream has made Jackie and Shadow local celebrities. Continuous, real-time access gives the public a window into wildlife biology, fosters regional pride, and raises awareness about raptor conservation in the San Bernardino National Forest. The stream also supports FOBBV’s educational goals and volunteer recruitment (Wikipedia).
Sources and verification
This account synthesizes reporting and official updates from Friends of Big Bear Valley’s eagle page and livestream, ABC7’s coverage of pip and hatch timelines (ABC7), FOX LA’s live updates (FOX LA), the Los Angeles Times feature (Los Angeles Times), and community reporting on BigBear.com. Background on Jackie and Shadow’s nesting record is summarized on Wikipedia.
Implications for Fresno, California
Economic impact
Fresno residents and visitors often travel to Sierra destinations like Big Bear Lake; heightened interest in Jackie and Shadow can increase bookings for hotels, guides and outfitters serving Central California travelers. Travel from the Central Valley supports local businesses, and increased attention may bring a modest uptick in reservations during peak viewing and fledging periods (FOBBV; BigBear.com).
Political and policy considerations
Public attention to the nest can translate into political support for habitat protection, regional conservation funding, school environmental curricula, and interagency cooperation between counties, parks and the U.S. Forest Service. Elected leaders can leverage public interest to justify grants and outreach programs that benefit wildlife and people (Los Angeles Times).
Social and educational effects
The livestream serves as a free, real-time classroom. Fresno schools, nature centers and youth programs can use footage to teach life cycles, biology and conservation ethics, organize viewing sessions, or plan field trips. The story also promotes volunteerism with monitoring groups (FOBBV; BigBear.com).
Cultural relevance
Jackie and Shadow’s resilience after loss and the drama of new life resonate broadly. For Fresno residents who value outdoor recreation and wildlife, the successful hatching reinforces a shared California identity tied to natural heritage and species recovery (Wikipedia).
Practical applications for residents
- Responsible viewing: enjoy the livestream and do not travel to or disturb the nest — disturbance can harm nesting success (FOBBV guidance).
- Educational programming: schedule watch sessions tied to classroom lessons about raptors (BigBear.com).
- Support conservation: donate or volunteer with groups like FOBBV to aid nest monitoring and habitat protection.
Who to follow for updates
For the fastest official updates, follow the Friends of Big Bear Valley live camera and Facebook feed. Regional coverage of the pip and hatches appeared at ABC7 and FOX LA. For deeper background see the Los Angeles Times feature and the consolidated record on Wikipedia.
Want to watch the new chicks grow? Tune into the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream, follow their social channels for real-time notes, and consider joining conservation events that connect Central Valley communities, including Fresno, to mountain habitats and wildlife protection efforts.
