Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcome first egg of 2026
The eagle egg has landed.
RELATED: 2026 nesting season underway for Big Bear’s famed bald eagles
Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow, two of Big Bear’s most famous birds, have welcomed their first egg of 2026.
The 24-7 camera footage, installed by the environmental nonprofit group Friends of Big Bear Valley to capture life in the eagles’ nest, caught a glimpse of Jackie laying a single egg at 4:32 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23.
Jennifer Voisard, media and website manager for the group, said in a text message that “Shadow came to visit shortly after.”
“It was amazing to see the process and watch Jackie puff her feathers out (called rousing), and we could hear her make her tea kettle sounds,” she said.
The two birds have attracted thousands of viewers daily, especially during nesting season.
Last year, Jackie and Shadow had three chicks: Misty, Sunny, and Gizmo — names chosen by students from Big Bear Valley Elementary School and the Friends. Sunny and Gizmo successfully fledged from the nest last year, but Misty did not survive the winter.
The incubation period is about 40 days, according to the Friends.
“Egg-citing times!” Voisard wrote.