Are you wondering how Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle pair, are doing? Here’s the latest update from the Friends of Big Bear Valley as we move through the first months of 2026.
Nesting season is now in full swing, with egg-laying in Big Bear typically occurring between January and April. Jackie laid her first egg on January 23, 2026, followed by a second on January 26. However, during a period when both Jackie and Shadow were away from the nest for an extended time, a raven was able to breach the nest. Observers later confirmed that one egg had a visible crack, and there were also signs of territorial activity. These factors may have contributed to the eagles’ absence, allowing the raven access to the eggs.
After this setback, Jackie’s hormones reset, and she laid a new clutch of eggs—one on February 24 and another on February 27. “Pip watch” for this second clutch is expected to begin on March 31.
Since then, both Jackie and Shadow have been actively sharing incubation duties. About 35 days after the final egg is laid, the eaglet inside is ready to hatch. This is when “pip watch” begins. A “pip” is the small hole or crack that appears when the eaglet uses its egg tooth—a temporary, hard structure on the tip of its beak—to break through the shell. The hatching process can take up to two days, and the parents do not assist during this time.
To follow Jackie and Shadow’s progress, visit their live cam at http://www.youtube.com/fobbvcam or learn more at friendsofbigbearvalley.org.
