A bald eagle egg watched closely by thousands of Californians is beginning to hatch high above Big Bear Lake, marking a hopeful turn for the famous eagle pair Jackie and Shadow after a devastating loss earlier this year.
Viewers of the popular Big Bear Eagle Cam spotted the first visible crack — known as a “pip” — on April 3, signaling that an eaglet could emerge within the next one to two days. The nest is monitored around the clock by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, whose live stream has become a statewide phenomenon.
Big Bear bald eagle egg shows first signs of hatching on live camera
Friends of Big Bear Valley confirmed the early hatching stage after hearing faint chirping from inside the egg late April 2 and into the overnight hours.
The sounds indicate the chick has broken through the egg’s internal membrane and taken its first breaths of air, a critical milestone in the hatching process. By April 3, viewers could see a small piece of shell protruding from the egg — a clear sign that hatching is underway.
Once a pip appears, ornithologists say it typically takes 24 to 48 hours for an eaglet to break free fully.
When Jackie laid the eggs — and what happens next
Jackie laid the current two eggs on Feb. 24 and Feb. 27, and the longtime pair have carefully incubated both through snowstorms, high winds, and constant public attention.
As hatching continues, the parents will remain highly protective of the nest, limiting movement and shielding the egg and eventual chick from cold and predators. Once the eaglet emerges, viewers can expect frequent feeding and brooding as the chick gains strength.
Friends of Big Bear Valley celebrated the moment online, calling the development “egg‑citing” and thanking viewers for following along.
A hopeful moment after ravens destroyed the first clutch
The potential hatching comes after heartbreak earlier this season.
Jackie and Shadow laid their first clutch of the year on Jan. 23 and Jan. 26, but ravens destroyed those eggs on Jan. 30 while the parents were briefly away from the nest — a moment witnessed live by stunned viewers across California and beyond.
The current eggs are the pair’s second clutch of the season, making the possible arrival of an eaglet a symbolic comeback after loss.
Why Jackie and Shadow’s nest captivates California viewers
Jackie and Shadow have been a bonded mating pair since 2018, raising multiple eaglets over the years and becoming unofficial wildlife ambassadors for the Big Bear region.
Their previous chicks — often nicknamed by viewers, including Gizmo and Sunny — helped turn the live stream into one of the most-watched wildlife cams in the country, drawing educators, bird lovers, and casual viewers alike.
With hatching now underway, Friends of Big Bear Valley says the nest is poised to become “a little more crowded,” as a new chapter unfolds above Big Bear Lake.
How to watch the Big Bear bald eagle nest live
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Big Bear bald eagle egg begins hatching on live California cam
Reporting by Brian Day, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
