Eagles Jackie and Shadow Lay First Egg of the Season

Big Bear’s beloved bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, have marked an exciting milestone by laying their first egg of the season. This significant event occurred on a Friday at approximately 4:32 p.m. Following this, Jackie carefully guarded the egg throughout the night, signaling the start of their nesting period.

Eagle Nesting Season Insights

The nesting season for Jackie and Shadow typically spans from January to April. On Monday, just a few days after the first egg, Jackie laid a second egg, continuing her pattern of producing three eggs within approximately three days. Historical records indicate that Jackie and Shadow successfully raised eaglets in 2019 and 2022, although they experienced challenges in subsequent years.

Notable Hatching History

In a notable resurgence, Jackie and Shadow welcomed eaglets in 2025, named Sunny and Gizmo. The incubation period for the eggs generally lasts around 35 days. However, according to the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, Jackie and Shadow’s eggs often take slightly longer, averaging between 38 to 39 days.

First Egg Laid: Friday at 4:32 p.m.
Nesting Season: January to April
Second Egg Laid: Following Monday
Typical Hatch Duration: 35 days (38-39 days historically)
Previous Eaglet Years: 2019, 2022, and 2025
Growth Timeline: Eaglets reach about 3 feet tall in 10-14 weeks

The World-Famous Eagle Family

The family of eagles, along with their nesting site located in the San Bernardino National Forest, gained international fame thanks to a live-streaming camera set up by Friends of Big Bear Valley on YouTube. This initiative allowed viewers worldwide to observe the daily lives of this magnificent pair.

Longevity and Mating Habits

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bald eagles are known to mate for life. In the wild, these majestic birds can live for about 30 years, fostering a strong bond throughout their lifetimes.

As Jackie and Shadow embark on another nesting season, eagle enthusiasts and wildlife watchers eagerly await the hatching of their eggs and the arrival of new eaglets.