Receive the daily Popular Science newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries and DIY tips delivered six days a week. By registering, you confirm that you are over 16 years of age, will receive newsletters and promotional content, agree to our Terms of Use, and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Internet-famous bald eagle mother Jackie has officially been moved out of the intensive care unit at the Ojai Raptor Center. She continues to receive veterinary care 24 hours a day, as she remains a very sick patient.
“This is an encouraging step forward, but it doesn’t mean it’s out of the woods,” the Ojai Raptor Center writes. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, encouragement and kindness shown to our team during your care. Your messages on social media truly mean a lot to all of us.”
Back in Big Bear Valley, Jackie and her companion Shadow’s young eagles, Sandy and Luna, were last seen on camera on July 23. According to the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the young eagles may have left the area on the “big trip” and may be officially alone.
“Shadows have been seen around the habitat daily,” writes the FOBBV. “If the eaglets are gone, Shadow has no reason to visit the nest or stay within the habitat. This would be considered his summer vacation, and he can hang out and roost wherever he feels comfortable.”
Jackie will only be returned to Big Bear if she is healthy and able to hunt and protect herself. The timetable for her release is still unclear as she remains quite ill. She was found on the ground near Dana Point Park on July 17, after a brief altercation on the ground with two other subadult eagles. Cell phone video confirmed that the adult was able to defend itself from the other eagles by turning around and using its talons, but was unable to fly very far. The Los Angeles County Parks San Dimas Raptor Rescue collected the eagle and transferred it to the Ojai Raptor Center.
This is a developing story and we will continue to provide updates. In the meantime, viewers can follow the nest on the FOBBV live stream.
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 p.m. PDT, while chick 2 hatched on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. 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.
How long will the chicks stay in the nest?
Chicks usually remain in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age.
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.
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.
How can I help Jackie and Shadow?
FOBBV accepts donations to support its conservation efforts in the area. The organization recently reached its goal of raising $10 million to purchase land around Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. A $5.5 million donation from Anna and Greg Brockman propelled the fundraising toward its goal before the deadline. Greg Brockman is co-founder and president of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Before the Brockmans’ donation, more than 25,000 donations had raised nearly half of the funds needed.
You can help the rescue organization nurse Jackie back to health by donating to the Ojai Raptor Center’s Bald Eagle Recovery Campaign.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of Popular Science, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging that it infringed Ziff Davis’ copyrights by training and operating its AI systems.
Awards for the House of the Future of Popular Science 2026
Keep following us for the latest insights.
