Big Bear Eagle Couple Welcomes Two New Eaglets

Jackie and Shadow's nest sees successful hatching after earlier egg loss

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:52pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted greens, browns, and blues, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, intersecting waveforms, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex biological forces and natural cycles at work in the hatching and growth of baby eagles.The hatching and early development of two new eaglets in the Big Bear eagle nest represents the resilience and cyclical renewal of nature.Big Bear City Today

The bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear, California have welcomed two new eaglets, with the first hatching late on Saturday night and the second on Easter morning. The eaglets are reported to be healthy and eating well, with fans soon able to submit name ideas for the chicks. This comes after the pair's first clutch of eggs was destroyed by ravens earlier in the season.

Why it matters

The Big Bear eagle cam run by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley has a devoted following, with tens of thousands tuning in to watch the new eaglets hatch and grow. The successful hatching is an uplifting moment after the earlier egg loss, and the public naming contest will further engage the community.

The details

Both of the new eaglets have been observed eating and working to strengthen their neck muscles, though they still have trouble keeping their heads up at times. The nonprofit running the eagle cam says the eaglets will develop quickly, reaching full size by around 9 weeks old and fledging between 10-14 weeks.

  • The first eaglet hatched late on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The second eaglet hatched early on Easter morning, April 6, 2026.

The players

Jackie and Shadow

The bald eagle couple whose nest in Big Bear, California is monitored by the Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit.

Friends of Big Bear Valley

The nonprofit organization that operates the Big Bear eagle cam and oversees the nesting site.

Jenny Voisard

A representative for Friends of Big Bear Valley who provided updates on the eaglets' progress.

Sandy Steers

The late executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley who was instrumental in launching the eagle cam and eaglet naming contests.

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What they’re saying

“It was just amazing. It was so exciting to go to bed and shoot out of bed the next morning, exciting to see what was happening with the other chick.”

— Jenny Voisard, Representative, Friends of Big Bear Valley

“I think she's in the nest, because that's really where she wanted to go, and wanted to see.”

— Jenny Voisard, Representative, Friends of Big Bear Valley

What’s next

Friends of Big Bear Valley will soon launch a public contest for fans to submit name ideas for the two new eaglets. The final names will be selected by local third grade students.

The takeaway

The successful hatching of Jackie and Shadow's eaglets after the earlier loss of their first clutch is an uplifting moment for the Big Bear eagle cam's devoted community of viewers. The public naming contest will further engage fans as they watch the eaglets grow and develop.