Jackie and Shadow continue to care for their eaglets in Big Bear
BIG BEAR, Calif. -- Big Bear's beloved bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, have welcomed eaglets into the world.
Original live video courtesy of FOBBV.
Jackie and Shadow are taking turns watching and feeding the baby birds, who won't be able to leave the nest for about 10 to 14 weeks.
The baby birds are unnamed, but suggestions will come from the public. The tough decision-makers will be local Big Bear third-graders.
The first eaglet arrived on the evening of March 3, popping out of its shell shortly before 11:30 p.m. The special moment was captured live during the 11 p.m. newscast of ABC7 Eyewitness News. The second chick hatched sometime in the overnight hours, and the third eaglet hatched sometime thereafter.
Unfortunately, Friends of Big Bear Valley confirmed on March 15 that one of Jackie and Shadow's eaglets had died. Concern over the chick came the day prior when only two of the eaglets were visible following snowy weather.
"We are sad to let everyone know that one of Jackie and Shadow's chicks did not make it through the severe winter storm that brought over 2 feet of snow to the area. The chick's passing happened some time after all three were observed together getting fed at 6 pm on 3/13," the nonprofit said on its Facebook page.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said it does not know what happened or why the eaglet died, and it's not sure which chick died because they were very close in size.
In 2022, Jackie and Shadow successfully hatched an eaglet, later named Spirit via a contest held by Friends of Big Bear Valley.
WATCH: Big Bear eaglets promising sign for species, wildlife expert says
Original live video courtesy of FOBBV.
