The now-empty nest of Southern California bald eagles Jackie and Shadow is back in the spotlight, but this time for a good reason.
Luna, one of Big Bear Lake’s two bald eaglets that hatched in early April, took a leap of faith at 9:24 a.m. June 29, and flew to a nearby tree where Shadow was perched.
“No hesitation, he just knew he could do it,” wrote Friends of Big Bear Valley, the organization behind the popular 24-hour livestream documenting bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow’s nesting journey. That journey has drawn international attention in recent years.
Luna’s flight comes one day after sibling Sandy took an “accidental flight” as she fell from the nest shortly before 11:30 a.m. June 28. After the fall, Sandy flew to an area out of view. According to FOBBV, Sandy looked good during her flight and is likely relaxing after her unexpected adventure.
Jackie and Shadow’s previous eaglet, Gizmo, born in March 2025, also lost her balance and accidentally fledged last year.
Jackie and Shadow will now follow the eaglets wherever they go and ensure they are fed and cared for. Currently, the organization’s camera operators are searching for the eaglets.
FOBBV reported hearing distant vocals between Jackie and a bird they believe is Sandy on June 29. Once Sandy and Luna are more comfortable making their way around the habitat, family gatherings will likely occur (hopefully on camera).
“Though it is up to Sandy and Luna, in the past, the eaglets have come back to the nest to eat, sleep or just hang out together. Only time will tell,” FOBBV wrote on social media.
Fans celebrate the fledglings. ‘A beautiful take-off and flight’
Fans from around the world have been keeping tabs on the Big Bear eaglets’ progress, especially after a heart-wrenching loss of Jackie’s first clutch of the year in January 2026.
“It’s been an emotional 24 hours,” onlooker Jenny Krieger Brooks, of Michigan, commented on Facebook. “While it’s both happy and sad to see them go, it is for the best. I do wonder if Sandy’s absence spurred Luna on to fledge, but he certainly seemed ready! I continue to hope and pray Sandy is ok, physically and that we’ll continue to see them in the area for a little while.”
Toni M. Villagomez commented on FOBBV’s fledgling post that she’s glad both eaglets fledged before the Fourth of July, adding that she was worried the fireworks might spook them.
Brad Beaver said he knew today was the special day Luna would leave, chalking the decision to loneliness. “It was a beautiful take-off and flight. You could see Shadow on the limb of the Simba Tree watching and waiting! Now, in a few days we are going to get to watch their next chapter together,” he wrote.
Jackie and Shadow’s mating affair
Jackie and Shadow have been a mating pair since 2018, when Shadow replaced Jackie’s previous mate, according to the nonprofit.
Jackie was believed to be the first recorded bald eagle chick hatched in Big Bear in 2012. She was initially known as Jack until it became apparent she was female, and her name was switched to Jackie.
The first documentation of Jackie and Shadow’s clutches of eggs came in 2020 and 2021, when they were either eaten by ravens or didn’t hatch.
Jackie and Shadow’s first successful-born chick, Spirit, hatched in March 2022.
The couple then had unsuccessful laying seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Sunny and Gizmo were two (of three) hatchlings born to Jackie and Shadow in March 2025. The third eaglet, named Misty in honor of a former nonprofit volunteer, died after a snowstorm hit the area.
How to watch Jackie and Shadow
The live feed for Jackie and Shadow operates 24 hours and is available at Friends of Big Bear Valley’s YouTube page.
As of Monday afternoon, more than 30,000 people were tuned into the nonprofit’s two separate live feed.
Reporting from USA TODAY NETWORK’s Rene Ray De La Cruz contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets fledge, leaving Big Bear nest empty
Reporting by McKenna Mobley and Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By McKenna Mobley and Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
