Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie & Shadow Lay Third Egg After Loss

Big Bear bald eagles’ third egg brings new hope after ravens destroyed first clutch

Big Bear Lake’s bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow welcomed a third egg on Feb. 24, 2026, bringing renewed hope after ravens destroyed their first clutch; the moment was captured on Friends of Big Bear Valley’s live nest cam.

Key takeaways

• Third egg laid Feb. 24: Jackie laid a new egg captured on the live nest cam, restoring optimism after January losses.
• First two eggs lost Jan. 30: Ravens breached eggs laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 while adults were away, spurring global concern.
• Incubation timeline: Bald eagle eggs typically incubate about 35 days; nesting activity for Jackie and Shadow runs through April.
• Global audience: Friends of Big Bear Valley’s cameras and social channels draw thousands of viewers and active volunteers.

Key information

• When: The new egg appeared in the nest at about 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 24; Jackie inspected then settled back to incubate, and Shadow returned minutes later. (Sources: CBS Los Angeles: Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow lay third egg, ABC7 Los Angeles: Beloved Big Bear bald eagles lay another egg).
• Earlier losses: Jackie’s first two eggs were laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 but were breached by ravens on Jan. 30 while adults were away. (Sources: CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles).
• Incubation & timing: Bald eagle eggs typically incubate about 35 days; Jackie and Shadow often lay eggs at ~three-day intervals and maintain nesting activity through April. (Sources: CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles).
• Cameras & community: Friends of Big Bear Valley operate multiple cameras (Nest Cam 1, Wide View Cam 2) and maintain social channels that draw thousands worldwide. (Source: Friends of Big Bear Valley stories & nest cam info, FOBBV YouTube channel).

New egg, new questions

The live footage showed Jackie making room and checking the small white egg before returning to incubate; the nest sits above Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. Viewers noted clear skies, mid-50s temperatures and melted snow compared with days earlier.

Friends of Big Bear Valley issued a written statement praising Jackie and noting she appeared to be resting after laying. The group did not specify whether additional eggs will follow, but volunteers and viewers are watching closely given the typical three-day laying intervals.

“Jackie appeared to be resting after laying,” Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote, prompting cautious optimism among the live-stream audience.

What led to the first loss

The first two eggs (laid Jan. 23 and Jan. 26) were breached by ravens on Jan. 30 when the adults were away for several hours. Friends of Big Bear Valley reported Shadow left around noon and Jackie did not return quickly; other raptor activity and territorial behavior likely opened an opportunity for ravens.

Aftermath: Jackie attempted to incubate a breached egg afterward but the damage was irreversible. The attack spurred global sympathy and renewed community support for the pair.

Recent nest activity before the new egg

In the days leading up to Feb. 24, observers documented repeated mating, nest building and food deliveries. On Feb. 20, Shadow brought fish and a coot; the pair mated multiple times on the nest and on a nearby snag. Videos showing these behaviors are available on a FOBBV YouTube clip and another FOBBV video.

By Feb. 23–24 mating frequency rose and Jackie could be seen rearranging nest materials and flattening the cup in volunteer-described “nestorations,” raising hopes for a successful second clutch.

Historical context and survival rates

Local history: Jackie (hatched ~2012, nesting since 2016) and Shadow (hatched ~2014, resident since 2018) are long-term Big Bear Valley residents. The first recorded bald eagle chick in the valley hatched in 2012, and the area pair have produced about a dozen eggs since.

Survival context: Roughly half of eaglets survive to adulthood, underscoring the fragile nature of each breeding season and the importance of protecting nest sites and foraging habitat. Jackie and Shadow successfully raised young in 2019, 2022 and two last year (nicknamed Sunny and Gizmo), showing resilience despite setbacks. (Source: Friends of Big Bear Valley, CBS Los Angeles.)

Friends of Big Bear Valley and the nest cam community

FOBBV operates round-the-clock camera coverage and posts updates across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. The live stream and clips let tens of thousands follow Jackie and Shadow’s life events, and a volunteer network helps monitor activity and report concerns to staff.

Community impact: The nest cam fosters a global viewing community that shares heartbreak, support and scientific curiosity — an important source of engagement for conservation and education.

Implications for San Luis Obispo, California

• Education & outreach: Schools and nature centers can stream the live nest cam as a free teaching tool for lessons on bird behavior, incubation and parental care. (Resource: Friends of Big Bear Valley nest cam materials.)
• Wildlife awareness & policy: The raven breach highlights how disturbance and competition affect nesting success; local wildlife staff could review protections, signage and cross-jurisdictional strategies to reduce disturbance during raptor seasons. (Sources: ABC7 Los Angeles, CBS Los Angeles.)
• Citizen science & engagement: Bird clubs and Audubon chapters can encourage members to follow the nest cam and report observations, bolstering local monitoring and restoration efforts. (Source: Friends of Big Bear Valley.)
• Tourism & community: Regional eco-tourism operators can partner with conservation groups to highlight raptor viewing opportunities and educational events tied to the nesting season. (Sources: CBS Los Angeles, Friends of Big Bear Valley.)
• Mental health & morale: Streaming Jackie and Shadow provides a low-cost way for residents to connect with nature and with global communities, offering comfort during winter months.

Sources and where to watch

• CBS Los Angeles: Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow lay third egg (Feb. 24, 2026)
• ABC7 Los Angeles: Beloved Big Bear bald eagles Jackie, Shadow lay another egg after nest was invaded (Feb. 24, 2026)
• Friends of Big Bear Valley stories and nest cam information
• FOBBV YouTube clip: recent mating and nest work (video)
• FOBBV YouTube clip: food deliveries and behavior (video)
• FOBBV YouTube channel

Journalists, educators and local officials in San Luis Obispo can follow the live nest cam and the reporting links above for ongoing updates as Jackie and Shadow incubate the new egg and the season unfolds.