Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie: Her Life, Her Final Season, and What Comes Next for Shadow

Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie

For more than a decade, a bald eagle named Jackie lived in a tall Jeffrey pine above Big Bear Lake in Southern California. For most of those years, the world watched. A camera beside her nest streamed every snowstorm, every egg, every feeding, and every first flight, and millions of people came to know her by name. In August 2026, Jackie died after a short illness. She was about 14 years old.

This article tells her story from start to finish. It covers who Jackie was, her life with her mates, each nesting season, her final summer, the community memorial, and what is next for her partner, Shadow, and the nest cam. For anyone searching for big bear bald eagles Jackie news, this brings the main facts together in one place, as of early October 2026.

Quick Facts

Who Was Jackie?

Jackie was a female bald eagle who spent her life in the San Bernardino Mountains. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, she hatched in the summer of 2012 and was the first documented bald eagle chick hatched in Big Bear Valley. That year, rangers found that the valley had become a nesting territory for the species.

Bald eagles once nearly disappeared from much of the lower 48 states. The pesticide DDT thinned their eggshells, and habitat loss and hunting took a heavy toll. Federal protection, the DDT ban, and decades of conservation work brought them back. The species came off the federal endangered species list in 2007. An eagle hatching and raising young in a busy mountain resort town was a sign of that recovery.

Jackie became famous for her calm and patient nature. She sat through blizzards with snow piled on her back, defended the nest from ravens and other eagles, and fed her chicks with care. Viewers learned her habits, her calls, and the way she worked with her mate. Among all the big bear bald eagles Jackie was the one the camera made a household name.

The Nest Cam That Made Her Famous

In October 2015, Friends of Big Bear Valley, a local nonprofit, installed a livestream camera near an eagle nest. The group’s founder and longtime executive director, Sandy Steers, conceived of the camera and organized its installation. Steers died in 2026, and the organization honored her that spring.

In 2017, Jackie and her first mate took over an abandoned nest beside the camera. From then on, their lives played out in public. The livestream ran around the clock and drew viewers from around the world. Many watched daily for years, joined online chat groups, and followed every update from the nonprofit’s volunteers.

Jackie’s Mates: Mr. B and Shadow

Mr. B

Jackie’s first known mate was a male called Mr. B. The pair’s only surviving offspring was Stormy, who fledged in late April 2018.

Shadow

In 2018, a younger male called Shadow arrived and competed with Mr. B for the territory. Shadow drove Mr. B away and became Jackie’s partner after Stormy fledged. Shadow is thought to have hatched around 2014.

Over the next eight years, Jackie and Shadow became one of the most watched wild animal pairs in the world. Fans admired how they shared the work. Shadow brought fish and other food, took turns on the eggs, and stood guard. He became known for bringing extra fish, sticks, and nesting material, which viewers turned into a running joke.

Every Nesting Season

The nesting record is the heart of the big bear bald eagles Jackie story. The table below sets out the main events of each season that is documented in the sources reviewed for this article.

The Hard Years

Not every season brought chicks. Snow, cold, ravens, and eggs that were not viable all played a part. The empty seasons of 2023 and 2024 were hard on viewers, who had waited for weeks at the camera. Many came to see these losses as an honest look at how difficult wild life can be.

The 2025 Comeback

In 2025, three eggs hatched, the first hatchings in three years. One chick, named Misty, died about 10 days later during a snowstorm. Misty was named for Kathi Misterly, a volunteer with the nonprofit who had died of cancer. The two surviving chicks, Sunny and Gizmo, both turned out to be female. Both fledged in early June 2025, within a week of each other.

Students at Big Bear Elementary School chose the names. The 2025 naming contest drew about 54,000 submissions.

The 2026 Season: Jackie’s Last

A Lost First Clutch

In January 2026, Jackie laid two eggs. While the parents were away from the nest, ravens broke into both eggs and ate them. Observers had noticed damage to the eggs earlier and suggested that the eagles may have sensed that the eggs were not viable.

A Second Chance

About a month later, in February, Jackie laid two more eggs. On April 3, the nonprofit reported a pip, the first crack in the shell. At 9:33 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, the first eaglet of 2026 emerged. The second egg hatched soon after.

The chicks were named Sandy and Luna. Sandy was named for Sandy Steers. The 2026 naming contest drew 63,915 submissions.

Fledging

On Sunday, June 28, Sandy fell out of the nest in what eagle watchers call a “fludge,” an accidental fledge. She seemed startled when Luna tried to jump over her, lost her footing, and landed on a branch below, out of camera view. Jackie stayed close by. The next day, Sandy was spotted partway up a tree, moving around and looking well.

On Monday, June 29, at 9:24 a.m., Luna took his first flight, with Shadow waiting in a nearby tree. That made Jackie and Shadow empty nesters for the year. Both young eagles were last seen on the camera on July 23, which suggests that they had become independent.

Sandy and Luna became Jackie’s sixth and seventh fledglings. They were her last.

Jackie’s Illness and Death

This is the part of the big bear bald eagles Jackie story that fans hoped would never come.

Found Grounded

On July 18, 2026, Jackie was found grounded and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake. According to Big Bear News, this followed a confrontation with two younger subadult bald eagles. She was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, a wildlife hospital in Ventura County.

Veterinarians found no injuries from the fight. They did find serious problems. She was thin and dehydrated, with severe anemia, low blood protein, and abnormal findings in her kidneys and lungs.

Three Weeks of Care

A team of experts treated her. It included the Ojai Raptor Center, a veterinary hospital in Ventura, the California Living Museum Zoo in Bakersfield, and avian specialists consulted from across the country.

Her care included fluids, oxygen therapy, nutritional support, blood transfusions, a contrast CT scan, a bone marrow biopsy, heavy metal testing, and steroid therapy. She improved at times, but she declined again. Near the end, she could no longer keep food down.

The state’s official release says she died overnight on August 9. Other reports give the time as the early hours of Monday, August 10. Both describe the same night.

What Caused Her Illness?

Veterinarians never found a single cause during her treatment. Pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance performed a necropsy, an animal autopsy, to look for a toxin, disease, or other condition. As of the reports reviewed for this article, no findings from that exam had been made public. If results are released, they may answer the question many fans still ask.

Her Remains

Under federal law, Jackie’s remains go to the National Eagle Repository, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The repository provides eagle remains and feathers to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes for religious and cultural use.

Tributes

Leaders across California marked her death.

• Governor Gavin Newsom said: “California mourns Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle who reminded us of the beauty and wonder of California’s wildlife.”
• Meghan Hertel, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said: “While this eagle’s story has ended, the inspiration and the lessons she gave so many people won’t be forgotten.”
• Chris Eksteen, Executive Director of the Ojai Raptor Center, said: “Though our team is heartbroken, it has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.”
• Paul Souza, Pacific Southwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said: “The public’s connection to this eagle is a powerful reminder of why the conservation of bald eagles matters.”

The Ojai Raptor Center added: “Her greatest legacy is the connection she created between people and the natural world.”

The Memorial: Wings Over Big Bear

In early October 2026, thousands of people gathered at Bear Mountain ski resort in Big Bear Lake for a memorial called “Wings Over Big Bear.” The program included music, remarks from community and conservation leaders, the unveiling of a painting of Jackie by local artist Jillana Marshall, and a mural created during the event.

Big Bear Lake Mayor Randall Putz said: “This exceeded our wildest expectations, and it’s wonderful to see how many people Jackie has touched.” Shelley Egan, Interim Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, told reporters that the turnout brought tears to her eyes.

The weekend continued on Sunday with wildlife education and conservation activities around the valley, including a guided bird walk, native seed collection, and trail work.

What Is Next for Shadow?

Shadow is about 12 years old. Bald eagles commonly live 15 to 25 years in the wild, so he may have many seasons ahead of him.

Jenny Voisard, media manager for Friends of Big Bear Valley, told NBC Los Angeles that the chances are high that Shadow will find a new mate. She also said he would likely want to stay in his territory, though no one can predict what he will do. The nonprofit said it would watch whether a visiting eagle of the right age arrives at the right time to form a bond.

Visiting eagles have been seen near the nest territory since Jackie’s death. Media reports in August described a visitor near the nest within hours of her passing, but the eagle’s identity and sex have not been confirmed in the sources reviewed here.

Bald eagles often pair for life, but when one partner dies, the survivor usually seeks a new mate, often before the next nesting season. In Southern California, eagles begin nest building and courtship in late fall and winter. That means the months ahead will show whether Shadow brings a new partner to the nest that Jackie made famous.

Is the Nest Cam Still On?

Yes. The camera that brought big bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow to the world is still live. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it has no plans to remove the livestream. Shadow has appeared on camera from time to time since Jackie’s death. Many longtime viewers plan to keep watching through the coming winter.

Jackie’s Legacy

Big bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow did more than raise chicks. They turned a remote nest into a classroom and a community.

• Seven fledglings. Stormy, Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Sandy, and Luna.
• A global audience. Viewers from many countries learned about eagle behavior, ecology, and the hazards wild animals face.
• Lessons in loss. The failed seasons and lost chicks showed that nature is not always gentle, and many viewers said that honesty made the successes mean more.
• Education. Local students named the chicks each year, and teachers used the livestream in classrooms.
• Conservation. Her story raised awareness of a species that came back from the brink, and of the work of wildlife hospitals such as the Ojai Raptor Center.
• Community. Fans formed friendships online and in person, and thousands came together at her memorial.

How You Can Help Wild Eagles

• Support local wildlife rehabilitation centers. They care for injured and sick birds of prey.
• Donate to or volunteer with conservation groups such as Friends of Big Bear Valley.
• Keep your distance from nests. Federal law protects bald eagles, and disturbing a nest can cause parents to abandon it.
• Use lead-free ammunition and fishing tackle where you can. Lead poisoning is a known threat to eagles.
• Avoid rodent poisons that can move up the food chain to raptors.
• Report injured or grounded eagles to your state wildlife agency or a local raptor center. Do not try to handle them yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jackie the Big Bear eagle still alive? No. Jackie died in the early hours of August 10, 2026, at the Ojai Raptor Center, after about three weeks of care.

How old was Jackie? About 14 years old. She hatched in the summer of 2012.

What happened to Jackie? She was found grounded on July 18, 2026, after a fight with two younger eagles. Vets found severe anemia, blood clots, and kidney, lung, and liver problems. No single cause was identified during treatment.

Has the necropsy shown a cause of death? No findings had been made public as of the reports reviewed for this article.

How many chicks did Jackie raise? Seven eaglets fledged during her life: Stormy, Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Sandy, and Luna.

What happened to Sandy and Luna? Both fledged in late June 2026 and were last seen on camera on July 23, which suggests they became independent.

Will Shadow find a new mate? The nonprofit that runs the cam says the chances are high, though no one can predict his choices.

Is the Big Bear eagle cam still running? Yes. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it has no plans to remove it.

Where can I learn more about big bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow? The Friends of Big Bear Valley website and YouTube channel post updates.

Final Thoughts

The story of big bear bald eagles Jackie is one of survival, patience, and quiet strength. She was the first documented eagle hatched in Big Bear Valley, she outlasted snowstorms and failed seasons, and she raised seven young eagles in front of a worldwide audience. Her final season, with Sandy and Luna, ended in two successful first flights just weeks before she fell ill.

Her death in August 2026 brought tributes from the governor’s office to the town she called home. Shadow remains in the territory, the camera keeps rolling, and the coming winter will show what comes next. Whatever happens, the community Jackie built around a single nest will remain her lasting legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Big bear bald eagles Jackie was the first documented bald eagle chick hatched in Big Bear Valley, in the summer of 2012.
• She became famous through the Friends of Big Bear Valley nest cam and raised chicks with her mates Mr. B and then Shadow.
• Seven of her eaglets fledged: Stormy, Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Sandy, and Luna.
• In 2026, ravens ate her first eggs, but a second clutch produced Sandy and Luna, who fledged in late June.
• Jackie was found grounded on July 18, 2026, and died at the Ojai Raptor Center on August 10, 2026, at about 14 years old.
• No cause of death had been made public as of early October 2026, and a memorial drew thousands to Big Bear in early October.
• Shadow remains in the territory, the nonprofit expects he may find a new mate, and the nest cam remains online.