The winter nesting season for Big Bear's celebrated bald eagle pair took a devastating turn on January 30 when both eggs were destroyed by ravens while the nest sat unattended for hours. The incident, which unfolded in the San Bernardino Mountains, marks another heartbreaking chapter for the famous duo known as Jackie and Shadow.
According to footage from the Friends of Big Bear Valley Nest Cam, the nest remained empty for over three hours before the attack occurred. At approximately 3:30 p.m., a raven descended upon the nest and began pecking at the eggs repeatedly. The first egg, which observers believe had already sustained damage earlier that day, was quickly breached and carried away. Moments later, the second egg suffered the same fate.
Jackie returned to the nest at 3:46 p.m., unaware of the tragedy that had transpired. She resumed her brooding position over one of the damaged eggs, not yet recognizing that it was beyond saving. The nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) later confirmed that both eggs were completely lost in the raid.
This particular nest, perched 140 feet high in a Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake, has served as Jackie's home since 2016. She first paired with Shadow in 2018 after her previous mate vanished, and together they have experienced a rollercoaster of reproductive seasons filled with both joy and sorrow.
Their first successful offspring, an eaglet named Spirit, hatched in 2022 to widespread celebration. The following year brought even greater success with the arrival of Gizmo and Sunny, two chicks that captured the hearts of viewers across California. However, that season ended in tragedy when a third chick, Misty, perished during a severe winter storm.
The recent loss continues a pattern of difficult years for the pair. Nesting attempts in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024 all ended in failure, with eggs either failing to hatch or falling victim to predators. Ravens have emerged as a persistent threat in the Big Bear Valley, repeatedly targeting unattended nests and demonstrating remarkable intelligence in their attacks.
Despite this setback, wildlife experts and the FOBBV team maintain cautious optimism about the future. Because the eggs were lost early in the season, Jackie may still have time to produce a second clutch. Bald eagles can lay replacement eggs if the initial clutch is lost during the early stages of incubation, though this is not guaranteed.
The process would require approximately one month for Jackie to recover and prepare her body for another laying cycle. During this time, the pair must fully abandon their incubation duties and shift their focus to renesting. "This may be nature's way of resetting things," the nonprofit organization stated in their official update. "We are hopeful, but we will have to wait and see."
The FOBBV livestream has become one of California's most beloved winter wildlife traditions, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers each season. The 24/7 broadcast from the nest is available on the organization's YouTube channel, which boasts 703,000 subscribers, as well as their official website at friendsofbigbearvalley.org. The platform provides regular updates, nest recaps, and educational content about the eagles' behavior and the broader ecosystem.
Jackie and Shadow's story resonates far beyond the local community, representing one of America's most remarkable wildlife recovery successes. The bald eagle population faced near extinction in the mid-20th century, with only 417 nesting pairs remaining nationwide in 1963. Habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and the devastating effects of DDT pesticide had pushed this iconic species to the brink.
DDT caused eggshells to become so thin and fragile that they would often crack under the weight of incubating parents, creating a reproductive crisis that spanned decades. A coordinated national conservation effort, including the banning of DDT and comprehensive habitat protection measures, gradually reversed the decline.
The results have exceeded many expectations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now estimates that 316,700 bald eagles inhabit the lower 48 states, representing a population more than four times larger than in 2009. This dramatic recovery has removed the species from the endangered list and stands as a testament to effective environmental policy and public engagement.
However, significant challenges persist for these majestic birds. Approximately 30% of eaglets fail to survive their first year of life, facing threats from severe weather, disease, food shortages, and human disturbance. The ongoing struggles of Jackie and Shadow illustrate that even in areas with strong conservation support, individual breeding pairs must overcome numerous obstacles to successfully raise offspring.
The live camera footage serves not only as entertainment but as an important educational tool, allowing researchers and the public to observe natural behaviors, identify threats, and document both successes and failures in real-time. This transparency has helped foster a deeper understanding of the complexities wildlife face in their daily struggle for survival.
As the season progresses, viewers and conservationists alike will watch closely to see whether Jackie and Shadow attempt to nest again. Their resilience through previous setbacks suggests they may not give up easily, though the decision ultimately depends on factors including Jackie's physical condition, food availability, and environmental conditions.
The raven attack highlights the delicate balance of ecosystems where predator and prey relationships constantly shift. While ravens are simply following their natural instincts, their impact on threatened or recovering species remains a concern for wildlife managers seeking to support vulnerable populations during critical breeding periods.
For now, the FOBBV team continues to monitor the nest and provide updates to their dedicated audience. The loss of this clutch serves as a reminder that nature's processes, while sometimes difficult to witness, follow their own rhythms and logic. Whether Jackie and Shadow will grace the nest with new eggs remains uncertain, but their story continues to inspire and educate thousands who have come to care deeply about their fate.