Eaglets Sunny and Gizmo | Big Bear Eagles Jackie and Shadow | April 15th, 2025 | 9 x 16 [gwKNGObrYjA]
Meet Jackie and Shadow Jackie, believed to be the first eaglet hatched in Big Bear Valley in 2012, gained public attention in 2017 when she and her mate took over an abandoned nest beside a live-stream camera. Shadow joined her in 2018, replacing her previous mate. Together, they have become year-round residents of Big Bear Lake, with their nesting activities drawing significant attention. Sunny and Gizmo: The 2025 Eaglets In early 2025, Jackie laid three eggs, which hatched in early March. The first eaglet hatched on March 3, followed by the second on March 4, and the third on March 8. Tragically, the third eaglet, later named Misty in honor of a dedicated FOBBV volunteer, did not survive a severe snowstorm. The two surviving eaglets have been named Sunny and Gizmo. The names were selected through a contest that received over 54,000 submissions, with local third, fourth, and fifth-grade students voting on the finalists. Growing Up in the Nest Sunny, the older of the two by four days, is exhibiting advanced development, engaging in wing stretching, balancing, and exploring the nest. Gizmo, while initially more reserved, is catching up and displaying its own unique behaviors. Both eaglets are actively engaging with their environment, playing with sticks and other objects in the nest. Jackie and Shadow continue to be attentive parents, providing food and protection for their growing chicks. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or take their first flight, around 10 to 12 weeks of age, which would be in late May or early June.