Big Bear is buzzing with excitement as Jackie and Shadow, the famous bald eagles, get ready to welcome a new eaglet. A small crack, or pip, was spotted in one of their two eggs around 10 a.m. on Friday. This little crack means the chick is trying to break free from its shell, and viewers couldn’t get enough of the action—over 26,000 people tuned into the livestream from the Friends of Big Bear Valley.
According to the nonprofit, there were chirps coming from the egg, which indicates that the chick has started its journey into the world. “It took its first breath of air,” they shared with their million followers on Facebook.
As of Friday, the first egg was about 38 days old, while the second was around 35 days old. Jackie and Shadow usually incubate their eggs for about 38 to 40 days, so there’s still hope for a pip in the second egg soon.
Jenny Voisard, the media manager of the organization, mentioned that hatching can take time. For instance, last year, the first eaglet took over a day to hatch after the initial crack was spotted. The follow-up chicks arrived a day later, showcasing the slow but exciting process of new life.
The eaglets start as fuzzy gray balls, but they grow quickly. Sadly, one of last year’s chicks didn’t survive a winter storm shortly after hatching, a reminder of the harsh realities of nature.
Once the eaglets hatch, they will face the challenge of learning to eat. Jackie and Shadow will begin feeding them soon after hatching, often tearing pieces of fish or raw meat for their little ones. Unlike other birds, bald eagles don’t regurgitate food but share saliva that helps nourish their chicks with vital nutrients.
Experts stress the importance of preserving the habitats of these majestic eagles. Voisard noted that the arrival of new chicks highlights why we must protect their environment. In fact, bald eagle populations have been recovering, thanks in part to conservation efforts.
In a push to protect local wildlife, Friends of Big Bear Valley is hoping to raise $10 million by the end of July to buy land that could otherwise be developed into housing. This project threatens rare plants and wildlife, including bald eagles. More details about their fundraising efforts can be found here.
Stay tuned for updates as Jackie and Shadow’s family grows and learn more about the challenges and joys of eagle parenting!
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