Update 3/15/2025 9:39pm EST: Friends of Big Bear Valley has confirmed that internet-famous bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have lost one of their three eaglets. A statement shared Saturday read:
“We are saddened to inform everyone that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not survive the severe winter storm that brought over 2 feet of snow to the area. The chick’s passing occurred sometime after all three were seen together being fed at 6 pm on 3/13.
We are unsure of the cause of its passing. The shorter snow berm now reveals that the chick is partially visible in the nest bowl, on the right side.
We are uncertain which chick it was as they were very similar in size. We empathize with how difficult this news is to hear. Please allow yourself to grieve and process your emotions. Let us honor the chick for its bravery in reaching the point it did and accomplishing what it was meant to do.”
Update 3/15/2025 4:37pm EST: Additionally, FOBBV has debunked a few rumors regarding the situation with Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets. Currently, the eagles have not removed anything large enough from the nest bowl to be a chick. Shadow did not step on any of the chicks; one of the chicks was resting on his foot (a common behavior) and was safely placed back into the nest bowl.
Update 3/15/2025 11:13am EST: FOBBV issued an updated statement: “Viewer Discretion: Sadly, it is possible that the remains of the missing chick have been sighted in the nest bowl, on the right side. We await clearer visuals for confirmation and will provide further updates. We acknowledge the difficulty in accepting both the possibility and the uncertainty. We share these sentiments with all of you. Due to the rapid growth and changes in the chicks at this stage, we are unable to determine which chick was lost.“
Update 3/15/2025 9:45am EST: On Friday evening, FOBBV released a statement: “Regrettably, it is possible that the remains of the missing chick have been observed in the nest bowl, on the right side. We are awaiting clearer visuals for confirmation and will keep you informed. We understand the challenge of processing both the possibility and the uncertainty. We share these emotions with all of you.“
Internet-famous bald eagles Jackie and Shadow may have lost one of their three eaglets overnight. Friends of Big Bear Valley, the organization behind the 24/7 live cam, issued a statement Friday morning noting that only two of the eaglets were visible.
“During the first feeding session today, only two chicks were visible,” the statement explained. “Due to snow obstructing the view, we cannot see the entire nest bowl. We are mere observers of nature and are not fully aware of the current circumstances.”
Viewers tuning into the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest on Friday morning expressed surprise and sorrow upon seeing only two eaglets in the nest around 6 am PST. A moderator on the livestream commented, “We are witnessing the daily life of Bald Eagles. Sometimes our emotions take precedence over our curiosity. It is okay to trust your feelings when needed and make healthy choices for yourself.”
A snowstorm hit the area on Thursday night, depositing up to two feet of snow in the San Bernardino mountains. Jackie was seen guarding the eaglets overnight as the nest shook in the winds. More snow is expected in the area on Friday afternoon, with temperatures forecasted in the 40s and 50s over the weekend.
Earlier this week, Sandy Steers, the executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, mentioned to Popular Science that weather posed the biggest threat to the trio moving forward. Bald eagles do not develop their waterproof feathers and layers of down until around six weeks after hatching.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service reports that only 50 percent of bald eagle eggs successfully hatch and 70 percent survive their first year. In 2024, Jackie and Shadow’s trio of eggs failed to hatch, and in 2023, ravens consumed the pair’s eggs. However, the couple did successfully raise one chick in 2019 and another in 2022.
In an interview with KTLA, Steers commented: “We are currently uncertain and cannot confirm anything. The exact situation is unknown, and we will have to wait for further developments.”
This story is still developing…
