After the successful hatching of two eaglets earlier this week, a third egg has now hatched for the famous bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow. The third eaglet made its appearance before 6:13 a.m. PST on March 8.
The third pip was confirmed on March 6 at 10:21 a.m. PST, just a few days after its older siblings emerged. Viewers worldwide have been following the livestream on YouTube provided by the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).
The third egg began to pip during a snowstorm, but the snow around the nest acts as an insulating material, as per FOBBV. It helps regulate temperature, maintain heat, and reduce noise. Bald eagles, with over 7,000 feathers and a core body temperature of around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, are well-adapted to cold weather.
Hatching is a strenuous process for the chicks, as they absorb remaining yolk and fluids for energy. These nutrients aid them during hatching and in the initial hours post-hatching. Using an egg tooth on their beaks, the chicks break through membranes and the hard shell.
As oxygen levels decrease inside the egg, the chick’s neck muscles contract, allowing it to take its first breath after the initial pip.
After some rest and absorbing remaining fluids, the chick vocalizes and begins breaking through the shell with its egg tooth. This final push involves rotating inside the egg and using its leg to scrape the shell.
Only half of eagle eggs typically hatch, making this new brood a success story. Jackie and Shadow, who first paired up in 2018, have previously raised chicks in 2019 and 2022, including one named Spirit. Unfortunately, their eggs were eaten by ravens in 2023, and their 2024 clutch failed to hatch.
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