Join Jackie and Shadow as They Welcome Their First Two Eggs of 2026 on the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Cam
Jackie and Shadow Welcome New Eggs in 2026 Nesting Season
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. – The cherished bald eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow, have laid two eggs as part of their 2026 nesting season in California’s San Bernardino National Forest. This news comes as a delight to the community that has followed their journey closely.
Jackie laid her first egg on January 23, just after 4 p.m. local time, followed by a second egg on the evening of January 26, according to the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). Both parents have been seen tending to the nest intermittently.
Currently, Jackie and Shadow are practicing a behavior known as "delayed incubation." FOBBV notes that this strategy allows them to wait until all eggs are laid before providing full-time warmth. By doing so, the chicks will likely develop at a synchronized pace, enhancing their chances of survival.
Despite Jackie’s history of laying three eggs in previous seasons, it remains uncertain whether she will lay a third egg this year. Experts indicate that bald eagles can produce anywhere from one to five eggs per clutch. The viability of the eggs will only be known as the hatching window approaches, with environmental factors such as temperature and oxygen levels playing a significant role in their development.
The 2026 nesting season follows a tumultuous year for Jackie and Shadow. In 2025, they successfully hatched three eggs, but faced heartbreak when one chick succumbed during a severe winter storm. The remaining chicks, named Sunny and Gizmo, became local sensations as they gradually fledged from the nest and adapted to life in the wild.
As watchers anticipate the potential arrival of a third egg, Jackie and Shadow have begun what FOBBV describes as a "month-long incubation marathon." The pair will alternate shifts to maintain a consistent incubating temperature of around 97°F to 98°F, regardless of the challenging winter conditions.
Eagle enthusiasts and wildlife watchers are encouraged to keep an eye on the nest in the coming days, as the community collectively awaits further developments in this remarkable story of nature.
