USA05 April, 20261 min read
Big Bear Eagles Jackie and Shadow Hatch Two Eaglets on Easter
Two eaglets hatched in the Big Bear nest over Easter weekend. First chick hatched Saturday night around 9:30 p.m.; second on Easter Sunday around 8:30 a.m.
Double Hatch Surprise
Jackie and Shadow delighted eagle fans by hatching two eaglets over the Easter weekend. The first chick emerged after roughly 36 hours of work cracking the shell. The second chick broke free about 12 hours after its sibling.
Both chicks are doing well, looking great and their journey has just begun. Shadow arrived shortly after the second hatch and began daddy duty.
Community Connection
The hatch inspired public affection and continued a naming tradition. FOBBV received hundreds of requests to name a chick Sandy, in honor of their founder. They plan to continue a fundraiser and third-grade voting on the names.
The nest sits high in a Jeffrey pine and the area is off-limits to prevent disturbance. The successful hatch marks an important milestone for California's recovered population.
Science and Conservation
The Big Bear pairs success comes as part of a broader recovery. California's bald eagle population rose nearly fourfold since the turn of the century. The nest camera offers one of the few public windows into the lives of a protected species.
Jackie and Shadow have now parented eaglets in 2019, 2022, 2025, and 2026. The chicks are expected to reach three feet in just over two months.