Fans of popular eagle couple Jackie and Shadow went into panic mode Tuesday night after mama eagle was seen struggling with a fishing line in her mouth.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle cam livestreamed the event, which included Jackie sitting on her two eaglets as strong winds shook the family nest atop a nearly 140-foot Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake on April 21.
At about 10:13 p.m., Jackie began shaking her head violently as she struggled to remove a fishing line and what looked like a small attachment from her mouth.
The fishing line whipped about as Jackie opened her mouth, then stretched, twisted and shook her head, much to the shock and concern of online viewers.
About a minute later, Jackie shook her head violently one last time as the line disappeared, and a bit of material flew from her mouth and into the wind.
Protecting the chicks
Jackie rustled a few more times before tucking her head down and settling back into her brooding duties.
At about 11:33 p.m., Jackie quickly popped her head up and looked into the distance in each direction before settling down again.
Soon after the incident, FOBBV Facebook page administrator Debbie Shore announced that Jackie “got a piece of line (NO HOOK EVIDENT) with the last bite” of food.
Shores added that “being the awesome mom that she is,” Jackie chose to eat the line, which possibly prevented her chicks from danger.
During the event, Shadow did not appear in sight of the camera.
Passing the line
“We are observing her making crop drops to hopefully help it pass,” Shores said. “We do observe fishing lines on the nest on occasion. These are usually broken by sharp beaks and strong talons, or swallowed as she is attempting to do.”
Shores said fishing lines typically do not pose issues; however, the FOBBV team will continue to monitor Jackie, “but most likely it will be gone soon.”
Just before midnight, FOBBV said, “Since the materials are not likely digestible, Jackie may “cast it out in a pellet within 12-24 hours.”
The chicks
Since hatching from their eggs on April 4 and 5, the eaglets have been known as “Chick 1” and “Chick 2,” respectively, as the hungry duo consumes fish and other animals delivered to the nest numerous times a day by their parents.
The FOBBV is collecting eaglet name suggestions via an online fundraiser. Eagle fans are invited to submit their ideas on the FOBBV website by the end of Sunday, April 26, the Daily Press reported.
For more information on the contest, visit friendsofbigbearvalley.org/naming-contest.
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 Victorville Daily Press: Big Bear eagle Jackie swallows fishing line, alarming fans
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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