Big Bear's Baby Bald Eagles: A Deep Dive with Friends of Big Bear Valley

The Fascination with Jackie and Shadow

• 💡 An estimated two and a half million people have visited the Friends of Big Bear Valley website, with hundreds of thousands watching the Eagle Cam, indicating a significant public fascination.
• 🎯 People connect with Jackie and Shadow, the bald eagle pair, because they have distinct personalities and their actions resonate with human experiences.
• 📺 The "Jackie and Shadow show" has become the unexpected hit of the spring season, drawing viewers into the natural drama unfolding in their nest.

Raising the Eaglets: Sunny and Gizmo

• 🐣 The chicks, named Sunny (the older, larger one) and Gizmo (the younger one), are about a month old and growing rapidly, expected to reach over three feet in height within 10-14 weeks.
• 💔 Sadly, the oldest chick was lost, but the remaining two are being well-fed and protected by Jackie and Shadow, especially during bad weather.
• 🏆 The names Sunny and Gizmo were chosen through a contest involving over 54,000 submissions, with final voting by third, fourth, and fifth graders in Big Bear, inspired by the movie "Gremlins."

The Eagle Cam and Conservation Efforts

• 📹 The Eagle Cam project began with a desire to observe eagles from a distance, evolving over years of watching and fundraising to install cameras that provide a close-up view of the nest.
• 🛠️ Installing and repairing the cameras requires specialized individuals who can safely access the high nest without harming the tree or disturbing the eagles, typically done during the off-season.
• 🌳 Friends of Big Bear Valley works to preserve the unique Big Bear Valley ecosystem, which is the seventh most biologically diverse place in the country, protecting unique plant species like the ashy gray paintbrush and Bear Valley buckwheat.

Bald Eagle Life Cycle and Resilience

• 🦅 Jackie and Shadow, a bonded pair for life, demonstrate resilience and mutual support, even grieving losses and helping each other through difficult times.
• ❄️ Bald eagles lay eggs during the coldest, snowiest months to ensure chicks develop and learn survival skills before the next winter, with fledglings taking 10-14 weeks to fly and several more months of parental guidance.
• 🧥 Adult bald eagles are equipped with over 7,000 waterproof feathers and downy underlayers, providing protection similar to a parka, while chicks develop their waterproof feathers around six to seven weeks old.
• 🏞️ The Big Bear Valley is home to diverse wildlife beyond eagles, including bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, endangered yellow-legged frogs, and the San Bernardino flying squirrel.