While Friends of Big Bear Valley and their supporters await an update on the condition of Jackie, the bald eagle mate of Shadow, the nonprofit took to social media to share a habitat update.
On Sunday, FOBBV said they’ve received many questions about the subadult eagle that battled with Jackie on the ground near the family nest in Fawnskin, along Big Bear Lake. They added the juvenile eagle has been very present in the habitat for several days, which includes the family nest, Shadow’s and the couple’s eaglets, Sandy and Luna.
Jackie’s ground battle
Previously, FOBBV said on July 16, an adult eagle, later identified as Jackie, was spotted on the ground. The following day, she was involved in a ground altercation with two juvenile eagles near the family nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
An online video showed Jackie using her talons to battle the young eagles. Soon after, she was rescued and eventually transported to the San Dimas Raptor Rescue in Los Angeles County, then to the Ojai Raptor Center in Ventura County, where she underwent life-saving treatment and still remains.
Shadow protects the nest
On Sunday, FOBBV said they spoke with bald eagle expert and conservationist Peter Sharpe, regarding the subadult, which he aged at 3.5 years old.
Sharpe told FOBBV that bald eagles generally reach full maturity at the age of 5 years old, though they can be ready to mate and lay eggs at the age of 4; however, that is not as common.
“Dr. Sharpe feels that it is a bit early for this subadult to be looking for nesting territory and/or a mate,” FOBBV said. “Shadow did show defensive behavior against the subadult for several days while Sandy and Luna were at the nest and seen in the area on both cameras.”
In responding to an online post, FOBBV said the subadult eagle is likely the same one seen in other aerial video interactions with Jackie.
“There are only a handful of bald eagles that have been spotted by ground photographers in the area, they are of different ages,” FOBBV stated. “We have been closely observing the behaviors and it seems likely to be the same subadult. Of course it would be difficult to be 100% certain of this.”
Did Sandy and Luna leave the nest?
FOBBV said though they’ve been hearing vocals that may be Sandy or Luna in the habitat, the last time they were seen on both tree-top cameras was on July 23.
“With several other young eagles in the area, these vocals may or may not be Sandy or Luna,” FOBBV stated. “If Sandy and Luna have indeed left on their life’s journey, their timing is completely normal.”
At the Big Bear nest, previous eaglets have generally dispersed at around four weeks, the nonprofit stated.
It has not been confirmed that Sandy and Luna have left the area, FOBBV said, adding that they can only observe and “time will tell.”
If Sandy and Luna are not in the habitat, Shadow would not feel the need or instinct to protect the territory, the nonprofit explained.
“When the eagles are not in nesting season, they are much more tolerant of other eagles,” FOBBV stated.
Previous interaction with Jackie
The nonprofit shared that before FOBBV Executive Director Sandy Steers passed away at her home on Feb. 11, 2026, she and a colleague spent over an hour watching Jackie and a subadult back in 2023
“Jackie was not concerned at all about the subadult perching with her,” FOBBV said. “In fact, she continued to preen and seemed very relaxed, though glancing over at the other eagle occasionally to keep an eye on it.”
Life-saving transfusion, habitat-saving fundraiser
Referring to Jackie as “Bald Eagle patient 26-519,” the Ojai Raptor Center said they would share an update on Monday, July 27.
As thousands of eagle-watchers await the next medical update on Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle remains at the center of two unfolding stories: her fight for recovery and unexpected activity around the family nest.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said a subadult bald eagle has been repeatedly spotted near Jackie and Shadow’s territory in recent days, prompting questions from eagle-cam viewers. The sightings come as Jackie remains under intensive veterinary care following a ground altercation and subsequent rescue earlier this month.
Latest Jackie update as Ojai Raptor Center promises ‘positive news’
The most recent update Monday from the Ojai Raptor Center offered a glimmer of hope for Jackie’s supporters.
The wildlife hospital said it expects to share “positive news” about Jackie’s recovery soon after days of treatment and extensive testing. Veterinary teams previously reported that Jackie was suffering from severe anemia and kidney inflammation and had received a life-saving blood transfusion from Spirit, a bald eagle at Bakersfield’s California Living Museum.
Doctors have said Jackie showed encouraging signs after the transfusion, including improved energy and continued eating, though her case remains complex and specialists are still working to determine the underlying cause of her illness. Tests have also ruled out lead poisoning as a cause of her condition.
For now, Jackie remains at the Ojai facility as rehabilitation and diagnostic work continue.
Why is a young bald eagle hanging around Jackie and Shadow’s nest?
Friends of Big Bear Valley said the biggest question from viewers recently has centered on a subadult eagle frequently seen near the famous nest.
The nonprofit consulted bald eagle expert Dr. Peter Sharpe, who estimated the visitor is about 3½ years old. According to Sharpe, bald eagles typically do not reach full maturity until roughly age 5, making it somewhat early for the bird to be actively seeking a nesting territory or mate.
During the days immediately following Jackie’s disappearance from the nest area, Shadow displayed defensive behavior toward the younger eagle while Sandy and Luna were still nearby. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it appears likely the same subadult may have been involved in the confrontation with Jackie before her rescue, although observers cannot be completely certain.
How is Shadow doing while Jackie is away?
With Jackie undergoing treatment, Shadow has remained in the Big Bear habitat and continued monitoring the territory.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Shadow’s behavior suggests he was initially protecting the area while the pair’s offspring remained nearby. However, experts note that bald eagles are generally much more tolerant of other eagles outside nesting season, especially once young birds begin dispersing.
Recent eagle-cam sightings have shown Shadow interacting with visiting eagles and maintaining his usual presence around several favored perches.
Have Sandy and Luna left Big Bear?
Another mystery involves Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 eaglets, Sandy and Luna.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said the last confirmed sightings of the siblings on the nonprofit’s cameras occurred July 23. Observers continue to hear eagle vocalizations in the area, but with multiple young eagles now moving through the habitat, it is impossible to determine whether the sounds belong to Sandy and Luna.
If the pair has departed, their timing would be considered normal. Previous Big Bear eaglets have typically dispersed about four weeks after fledging. The nonprofit emphasized that it has not confirmed the young eagles have permanently left the area.
What happened to Jackie before she was rescued?
Wildlife officials and Friends of Big Bear Valley say Jackie was observed on the ground near the nest area before becoming involved in a brief altercation with two subadult eagles.
Video showed the adult eagle defending herself with her talons. Afterward, she was unable to fly away normally and was ultimately rescued by the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team before being transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for specialized treatment.
Veterinarians later concluded the fight likely was not the primary cause of her condition, believing Jackie already was suffering from an underlying illness before the confrontation occurred.
Big Bear eagle habitat conservation effort reaches $10 million goal
Even as concern for Jackie continues, supporters recently secured a major victory for the birds’ future.
Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that supporters raised the $10 million needed to help preserve the nearby Moon Camp property from future development. The campaign received a major boost from a donation exceeding $5.5 million from Anna and Greg Brockman.
The San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust plans to complete the property’s acquisition by July 31, preserving land near the nesting territory that has become known worldwide through the Big Bear eagle cameras.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Big Bear eagle Jackie still recovering as mystery eagle visits nest
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
