Big Bear Bald Eagles Lose Eggs to Raven Attack

Jackie and Shadow face setback, but there's still hope for a second nesting season attempt.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:44am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex natural forces and predator-prey dynamics that impact bald eagles.The delicate balance of nature is on display as a raven's attack on a bald eagle's nest raises questions about how to protect iconic wildlife.Big Bear City Today

The beloved bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear, California, have tragically lost their two recently laid eggs after a raven attacked the nest and cracked at least one of the eggs. While devastating, the Friends of Big Bear Valley say Jackie could lay another set of eggs this nesting season, and the early intervention by the ravens may even increase the chances of a successful second attempt.

Why it matters

Jackie and Shadow are a famous bald eagle pair that have faced challenges in recent years, but have also successfully raised eaglets. This incident raises questions about balancing the natural struggles of wildlife with human efforts to protect and celebrate these iconic species through measures like livestream cameras.

The details

According to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit organization that installed cameras to livestream the eagles' nest, a raven flew in and pecked at the eggs, cracking at least one of them. The moment was captured on camera, showing the raven creating a hole in the shell just moments before one of the eagles returned. While it's unclear if the second egg was also damaged, the organization noted that both eggs are now gone.

  • On April 11, 2026, the eggs were attacked and destroyed by a raven.

The players

Jackie

A female bald eagle who, along with her mate Shadow, has successfully raised eaglets in the past but has also faced difficulties in recent years.

Shadow

The male bald eagle who, along with his mate Jackie, has successfully raised eaglets in the past but has also faced difficulties in recent years.

Friends of Big Bear Valley

A nonprofit organization that installed cameras to livestream the bald eagles' nest in Big Bear, California.

Raven

A bird that flew into the bald eagles' nest and cracked at least one of the two eggs, leading to their destruction.

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What they’re saying

“Jackie and Shadow lost the eggs today, sadly. One was cracked, and they've stayed away from the nest this afternoon. Ravens have breached the nest.”

— Friends of Big Bear Valley, Nonprofit organization

What’s next

The Friends of Big Bear Valley explained that Jackie could lay another set of eggs during this nesting season, and the early intervention by the ravens might even increase the chances of a successful second attempt.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance between protecting wildlife and allowing nature to take its course. While the loss of the eggs is heartbreaking, it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often harsh realities that iconic species like bald eagles face in the wild.