March 31, 2026, 2:20 p.m. ET

Jackie and Shadow, the beloved California bald eagle couple, are expecting their two chicks to hatch soon.

Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that monitors the birds, confirmed the couple is now on “pip watch” in a social media post on Monday, March 30.

“Pip Watch begins tomorrow,” the nonprofit said. The eagle couple’s eggs are 35 and 32 days old. The nonprofit cautioned that hatching is an “arduous process and can take a couple of days.”

Pipping is when a baby bird uses its beak to crack open its shell, according to the National Audubon Society, a bird conservation group. Pip watch, however, is when online enthusiasts anxiously await the chicks’ arrivals.

The chicks will use a temporary “egg tooth” at the end of their beak to first break through the internal membrane, according to the California nonprofit. Then the chicks could begin to chirp, followed by an external pip, when a chick makes a hole in the eggshell.

The final step in the process is the last push that causes the chick to break from the shell.

Past eaglets

Last year, the expecting parents had two chicks, Sunny and Gizmo. Earlier this year, the pair had two eggs that were broken by ravens. The current eggs were laid after the incident.

This weekend, the California nonprofit said the couple ended a busy Saturday with a “sweet mating session at sunset.” On Sunday, the couple had another “mating rendezvous.”

The couple “mate to strengthen their bond and have shown us over the past eight years how incredible their connection is,” the nonprofit added.

As the couple waits for the chicks to hatch, Shadow may begin more food deliveries to the nest, stockpiling in the pantry in preparation for their arrival, the nonprofit said.

“So as we wait together to see what unfolds this week, let’s hope two healthy little miracles are added to Jackie and Shadow’s family!”

How to watch Jackie and Shadow

The live feed for Jackie and Shadow operates 24 hours and is available at Friends of Big Bear Valley’s YouTube page.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com