The newly hatched bald eagle chicks at Jackie and Shadow’s Big Bear Lake nest need names, and the nonprofit organization that shares their journey with the world is taking suggestions.
Since hatching from their eggs on April 4 and 5, the eaglets have been known as “Chick 1” and “Chick 2,” respectively.
But as they continue to grow and develop individual personalities, Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the famed 24-hour live stream of the nest, is officially collecting submissions through an annual fundraiser.
Despite hatching only a day apart, and being relatively the same size, “we can tell some subtle differences in color and behavior,” FOBBV said in an update posted to social media.
How to suggest a name for the Big Bear Lake bald eagle chicks
As in years past, FOBBV will collect suggestions for the eaglet’s names via an online fundraiser.
Eagle-eyed fans of the feathered family are invited to submit their ideas on the FOBBV website at friendsofbigbearvalley.org/naming-contest.
Participants may suggest one name for a $5 donation, three entries for $10 or 10 entries for $25.
The submission period will end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 26, organizers said.
In keeping with tradition, local Big Bear Valley third-grade will have the final say in giving the chicks their official monikers.
“A computer program will randomly draw a list of finalists for the Big Bear third graders to vote on,” according to a FOBBV statement.
Since the sexes of the eaglets are not yet known, FOBBV requests that suggestions be gender neutral.
Inappropriate submissions, such as those including explicit or derogatory language, will be filtered from the selection process.
Growing, learning and exploring
Meanwhile, the eaglets continue growing bigger each day, fueled by an endless supply of fish and other food supplied by the dutiful parents. They’ve even already begun exercising their wings.
“Chick 1 we believe is a little darker, more submissive and went exploring out of the nest bowl [Tuesday, April 14], while its sassy younger sibling was practicing its survival skills,” according to the organization. ‘Both found themselves tucked back under their dad after their adventures.”
“These chicks are both learning new eagle things everyday through these behaviors, along with trial and error,” FOBBV added. “They have started little wingers and they have preened their feathers.
The eaglets appetites are growing as well as they continue swallowing larger and larger bites of food.
“They both get enough to eat, as Jackie and Shadow are able to provide a stocked pantry of fish and prey despite some other nesting neighbors and feathered visitors with similar goals and needs,” the update said.
Bald eagle chicks tend to spend roughly 10 to 12 weeks in their parents’ nest before fledging and heading out on their own.
Follow along with the live nest cam
The public is invited to follow along each step of the journey via FOBBV’s live 24-hour camera feed.
The stream can be accessed via the group’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM.
More information on Friends of Big Bear Valley can be found on the organization’s website at friendsofbigbearvalley.org,
The group also provides regular updates via Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Jackie and Shadow’s Big Bear eagle chicks need names. You can help
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
