There’s good news coming from a Big Bear Valley bald eagle nest. Jackie, the mother eagle, watched by fans on a popular live camera with her mate Shadow, has laid a new egg after the pair lost their first clutch earlier this season. Fans were devastated for the pair, but with Spring on the horizon, there’s now renewed hope surrounding this beloved bird couple.

According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the live-streaming camera, Jackie laid the egg on Feb. 24 and is now resting while Shadow keeps watch nearby. Earlier this year, a raven took both eggs from the nest, leaving viewers worried the pair might not have another chance this season.

But as one loyal fan put it, “This is the positivity we need right now.”

It’s possible, in fact, that more good news is on the way, according to FOBBV: “Jackie generally lays two to three eggs per clutch, and they have been laid three days apart. If she is going to lay a second egg, we will start watching for the above signs on Friday.”

I, for one, will definitely be tuning back in for updates, and based on the comments, so will many other long-term supporters of Jackie and Shadow.

“It’s happening again… I’m going to be fully invested for the foreseeable future until this nugget hatches,” said one such fan.

Related: Parrot Singing Opera Is the Most Joyful Start to Our Day

The Bald Eagle: A True Symbol of Strength

The bald eagle is North America’s largest bird of prey and one of its most recognizable wildlife symbols. Adults are easy to identify by their white head and tail, dark brown body, and bright yellow beak and feet. Despite the name, they aren’t actually bald — the word comes from an old term meaning “white-headed.”

They’re found across most of the United States and Canada, especially near large bodies of water like lakes, rivers, and coastlines. That’s because fish make up the majority of their diet, though they’ll also eat waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion when needed. Bald eagles are powerful hunters but also opportunistic — they’re known to steal prey from other birds rather than catch it themselves.

These birds build enormous nests, called aeries, in tall trees near water. Pairs typically mate for life and return to the same nest year after year, adding to it until it can weigh hundreds — sometimes even thousands — of pounds.

Once nearly wiped out in the lower 48 states due to pesticides and habitat loss, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts and the banning of DDT. Today, they’re considered a major wildlife recovery success story.

Let’s hope that Jackie and Shadow continue to experience success of their own.

🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.