The past two breeding seasons came to a heartbreaking end for Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
When a lovebird’s eggs were eaten by a crow in 2023, thousands of fans who were keen to watch the bird’s antics via webcam were shocked. Earlier this year, fans were left devastated after Jackie failed to hatch all three of her eggs despite spending a brave 62 hours there. It protected them from a raging snowstorm.
On Sunday, the couple was seen mating for the first time this season, renewing hopes that the pair will successfully raise an eagle (or two) in the new year.
“What I’ve observed for a long time is that something is going to happen, and that we… We just have to accept what nature has to offer.” “But I’m optimistic and looking forward to what adventures this year will bring.”
Friends of Big Bear Valley has been operating a bald eagle webcam since 2015. Several feathered characters have come and gone, but 2018 pairing Jackie and Shadow are by far the most popular. Stairs said last March saw a record number of webcam viewers, with about 32,000 people tuning in at once to watch Jackie’s eggs hatch.
Fans are captivated by Big Bird’s big personality and humorous relationship dynamic.
“Jackie is very strong and independent and wants her way in everything,” Stairs said. Shadow often lets Jackie have his way, but he also has a mischievous streak and won’t hesitate to pull on his tail feathers when he’s not looking.
Luckily, Jackie is charmed by Shadow’s sass, and his teasing often leads to “beak kisses.”
Bald eagles are one of the rare creatures that mate for life, finding a new mate only if the previous eagle dies.
This iconic American bird was nearly wiped out in the 1960s due to the pesticide DDT. DDT poisoned the eagles and left their eggs weak and flimsy. In the early 1970s, there were fewer than 30 nesting pairs across California, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The banning of DDT in 1972 and successful campaigns to protect habitat and encourage breeding brought the population back from the brink of extinction. According to Fish and Wildlife magazine, there are now more than 1,000 bald eagles in California on some days.
Still, they remain an endangered species in the state, meaning Jackie and Shadow’s breeding efforts are at stake even more than fans’ feelings.
Unfortunately, the odds are not tilted in their favor.
Steers said bald eagle eggs typically have a 50-50 chance of hatching. According to the American Eagle Foundation, less than 50% of hatched eagles survive their first year.
In Big Bear Valley, Jackie and Shadow face additional environmental challenges.
The nest, located 145 feet above ground in a Jeffrey pine tree, is the highest bald eagle nest in the country observed via webcam, Steers said. The Big Bear Lake community itself is located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.
Reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes are one reason the Friends of Big Bear Valley suspects Jackie’s three eggs failed to hatch last year. Cold, snowy winters and wet springs also reduce young eagles’ chances of survival.
Jackie previously lost two six-week-old chicks to cold after a rainstorm. Steer said the eagles were too old to fit under their wings, but too young to fully develop their own waterproofing capabilities.
In 2022, the couple successfully gave birth to an eagle named Spirit, which many considered a small miracle.
And despite past failures, the lovebirds are continuing their efforts to renew their bonds and produce chicks this year.
Mr Stairs said Shadow had been busy in recent weeks convincing Jackie to carry sticks to the nest to build it. On Friday, Jackie brought a fish to the nest, a sign that she was preparing to hunker down and lay eggs.
Steers hopes the couple will give birth to an eagle this season, but whatever unfolds, she’s happy to see so many people taking an interest.
“Our ultimate goal was to give people a glimpse into nature’s daily life so they can really understand what’s going on there and fall in love with nature,” she said. spoke. “And it was so beautiful to see it. Some people say things like, ‘I didn’t know nature was this hard,’ or ‘Wow, it’s really amazing to see what these birds do.’ ”
Watch the live webcam here.
