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Initiation does not always go as planned. On Sunday morning at 11:24 am PDT, one of Jackie and Shadow’s 2026th chicks accidentally left the nest after a mishap.
Sandy and Luna had entered the “front porch” of the nest when Luna attempted to jump over her sister to re-enter the nest. The maneuver caused Sandy to lose her balance, causing her to lose her balance and flutter down the tree toward the lower branches. He managed to break free of the branches and landed on another tree. Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit that runs the 24/7 live bald eagle cam, reported hearing “chirps” from Sandy while talking to her parents.
Mom Jackie arrived a few minutes later and will now take turns with dad Shadow to take care of Sandy on her adventures outside the nest. “Sandy looked good on her flight and is probably relaxing from her unexpected adventure,” FOBBV shared on Instagram. “Jackie and Shadow will now follow her wherever she goes and make sure she is fed and cared for. Currently, our camera operators continue to search for her.”
Bald eagles typically fledged between 10 and 14 weeks of age. Sandy was born in early April and is now 12 weeks old. While it was within the expected range for fledging, it had not yet completed all of the flapping training that many young eagles do before their first flight. FOBBV will keep viewers informed as camera operators attempt to locate Sandy. They have asked people to stay away from the area so as not to disturb the eagles and their habitat.
Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest – Camera 1
It’s been another roller coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle parents who live in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California. After crows destroyed two of their eggs in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs that hatched successfully.
Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 pm PDT, while chick 2 hatched on April 5 at 8:30 am PDT. Their large nest in Big Bear Valley, east of Los Angeles, is broadcast live 24 hours a day by the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated millions.
On May 1, FOBBV announced the names of the chicks: Sandy and Luna. The names were selected by elementary school students after thousands of fan submissions.
How long will the chicks stay in the nest?
Chicks usually remain in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age. This year’s chicks will probably leave the nest sometime between mid-June and mid-July.
What challenges do harriers face?
Before leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from other birds of prey, including hawks, crows, other eagles, and owls. Inclement weather can also present challenges for chicks. In 2025, a snowstorm in March caused the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.
During fledging, only 70 percent of the eaglets survive. One of the biggest threats is cars that can injure or kill birds as they forage for roadkill.
Who are Jackie and Shadow?
The pair first met in 2018 and successfully raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. However, their eggs did not hatch in 2023 and 2024. Only 50 percent of eagle eggs hatch successfully, so this couple has already beaten the odds.
What happened to Jackie and Shadow’s 2025 eaglets?
In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that hatched in early March. On March 13, a severe snowstorm dumped up to two feet of snow and battered the nest with high winds. Only two of the chicks were visible on the live camera when the storm passed the next morning. The FOBBV later confirmed the death of one of the chicks. The two surviving chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo after fans submitted 54,000 names.
What happens after the chicks fledge?
Young eagles usually fledge (or leave the nest and fly) when they can flatten their wings and have feathers capable of flight. This usually occurs when the birds reach 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males also tend to take their first flight a little earlier than females. Therefore, we could expect to see Luna take flight first.
According to FOBBV, Southern California chicks have been seen as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.
About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the initial stage. The FOBBV does not tag its eagles, so it is not possible to follow the chicks’ journey after they flee the nest.
Can I help Jackie and Shadow?
Yes. Environmental groups are currently fundraising $10 million to protect the Jackie and Shadow feeding area from development. Learn more at SaveMoonCamp.org.
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