Eagle Egg Cracks: New Life Expected Soon!

A new bald eagle chick is on the verge of hatching in Big Bear Valley. Jackie and Shadow, a well-known pair of California bald eagles, are currently witnessing one of their eggs begin the hatching process. As of April 2, 2026, the Friends of Big Bear Valley observed and heard indications of hatching, with little chirps emanating from the nest. This suggests a chick is preparing to emerge.

This event marks a triumphant moment for Jackie and Shadow, who faced a tragic loss earlier in the 2025-2026 breeding season when ravens destroyed their initial clutch of eggs. Undeterred, Jackie laid new eggs on February 24 and February 27, 2026. While one egg is hatching, another is still expected to hatch soon. The process of a chick fully exiting its shell can take an additional 24 to 48 hours after the first crack appears.

The famous eagle couple gained widespread recognition during the 2017-2018 mating season thanks to a 24-hour livestream of their nest overlooking Big Bear Lake. Their offspring include Spirit, born in 2022, and eaglets Sunny and Gizmo, born in 2025. A live feed of the nest is accessible to the public.

Events as of April 4, 2026: - An egg is in the process of hatching. - Chirps were heard from the nest on April 2, 2026, and continuing through the night. - A crack was visible in the egg in footage posted on April 3, 2026. - The hatching process, from crack to emergence, can take 24-48 hours. - The eagles lost their first clutch of eggs laid in January 2026. - The current eggs were laid on February 24 and February 27, 2026. - Their first chick, Spirit, was born in 2022. - Sunny and Gizmo were born in 2025.