Big Bear Eagles Jackie & Shadow Lay Third Egg After Raven Attack

Timeline and the losses

Sequence: Jackie laid the first egg on Jan. 23 and Shadow laid a second on Jan. 26. For reasons under investigation, the adults were absent from the nest for several hours on Jan. 30, during which ravens entered the nest and destroyed both eggs — an event recorded by nest-cam viewers and later summarized by local outlets (CBS Los Angeles; Los Angeles Times).

Observers noted several possible explanations — one egg showed a crack and may have been nonviable, nearby juvenile/sub-adult territorial disputes may have pulled adults away, and raven boldness increased during the midday window. These behavioral details were documented by viewers and researchers monitoring the nest (LA Times).

Behavioral notes and nesting history

Pair history: Jackie (hatched ~2012, resident since 2016) and Shadow (hatched ~2014, resident since 2018) paired in 2018 and nest in a Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake. The first recorded local eaglet hatched in 2012, and the pair has produced roughly a dozen eggs across seasons, with only a fraction surviving to adulthood.

Survival context: About half of eaglets survive to maturity, so each successful hatch is significant. The pair fledged chicks in 2019, 2022 and fledged two in 2025 (known to fans as Sunny and Gizmo), building a dedicated viewer and volunteer community (CBS coverage).

Cam monitoring, community response and science

The Friends of Big Bear Valley operates a 24/7 nest cam and a wider view camera that let thousands watch Jackie and Shadow in real time. The organization posts regular “Eagle Log” updates, recaps, educational material and community resources.

“Nature isn’t meaning to be cruel. Nature just is,” — a sentiment shared by volunteers and cited in local coverage after the January loss.

Global viewers expressed heartbreak and rallied in support. Detailed clips and uploaded footage show renewed nesting behavior — mating, nest work like “pancaking,” and cleaning snow after storms — signaling continued nesting intent (example viewer videos linked below).

Investigating the raven threat and nest vulnerability

Raven behavior: Ravens are intelligent and opportunistic. The Jan. 30 raid illustrates how territorial pressures, food fluctuations and nearby bird populations can elevate egg predation risk. Active adult attendance and strong territorial control are the primary natural defenses.

Managers elsewhere have used deterrents or increased human monitoring to reduce repeated losses, but any intervention near a bald eagle nest must coordinate with wildlife authorities because bald eagles are federally protected. For now, careful monitoring, rapid observation-sharing, and data from the nest cam are the community’s best noninvasive tools (LA Times reporting).

What the new egg means for the season

Timing: The Feb. 24 egg was visible at about 2:30 p.m.; Jackie briefly inspected it and settled back while Shadow returned minutes later. If incubation proceeds normally, a hatch would be expected roughly 35 days after laying, and because eagles often lay every two to three days, another egg could still be laid.

Friends of Big Bear Valley noted: “Jackie did a great job and she is now resting.” The egg offers a renewed chance and has people watching closely as the season unfolds (Friends of Big Bear Valley; CBS Los Angeles).

Implications for the United States

Economic: The nest cam draws thousands of viewers worldwide and supports local tourism and small businesses around Big Bear Lake when conditions permit visits. Wildlife tourism can provide steady revenue for rural communities (Friends site).

Policy: The episode highlights limits of legal protections and the role of local conservation groups, funding for noninvasive monitoring like nest cams, and coordination between federal wildlife agencies and volunteers (LA Times).

Social and cultural: The outpouring of support demonstrates how a local wildlife story can unite wide audiences and build conservation engagement. The pair’s persistence resonates with values of stewardship and community action.

Practical applications for residents and volunteers

• Replicate low-cost nest-cam setups to monitor local raptors.
• Report suspicious activity near nests to wildlife authorities and support nonprofit partners.
• Use livestreams and logs as educational tools in schools and civic groups to build local conservation capacity (Friends of Big Bear Valley).

Further reading and live updates

• Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle page and live cams
• CBS Los Angeles coverage of the third egg
• Los Angeles Times report on the January raven raid and nest history
• Viewer footage example (YouTube) and additional viewer footage (YouTube)

Readers nationwide can follow the nest cam for real-time updates on Jackie and Shadow and see whether this new egg will hatch and give the Big Bear Valley another reason to celebrate.