Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow Face Nesting Setback: A Story of Loss and Hope
Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow faced a heartbreaking loss as they lost the two eggs they had recently laid. The Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit organization that monitors and livestreams the eagles, reported that a raven had intruded into the nest and cracked at least one of the eggs. This unfortunate incident led to the eagles staying away from the nest, with the ravens breaching it.
In the livestream footage, a raven can be seen pecking at one of the eggs, creating a hole in the shell just before one of the eagles returns to the nest. The Friends of Big Bear Valley confirmed that one egg had cracked, but the ravens were eventually chased away by the eagles. The fate of the second egg remains uncertain at this time.
Despite this setback, there is still a possibility for Jackie to lay another set of eggs during this nesting season. The Friends of Big Bear Valley mentioned that the early intervention of the ravens might actually aid in this process. Jackie and Shadow, the famous eagle couple, had successfully raised eaglets in previous years but had faced challenges in hatching eggs in subsequent years.
In 2025, the pair welcomed their latest batch of eaglets, sisters Sunny and Gizmo, after a period of struggle. The loss of the recent eggs is a setback for the eagles, but there is hope for future nesting attempts. The Friends of Big Bear Valley continues to monitor and support the eagles in their nesting efforts, providing updates through their livestream.