And baby bald eagle makes three! Internet sensations and Bald Eagle mates Jackie and Shadow have welcomed the third eaglet of their brood high in their fir tree nest that looks over Big Bear, California.
As USA Today reports, the last eaglet of the nestlings emerged from its shell and could be seen early Saturday morning. “And at today’s early morning feeding at 6:13 am, Chick #3 was presented to the world!” the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam pronounced Saturday on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.
Back in 2016, the preservation group set up a webcam in Big Bear Lake Forest, located a hundred miles northeast of Los Angeles. Those watching on the FOBBV live camera feed could see signs Friday morning that the third eaglet was moving within the final egg as the pip site – the initial crack in the egg before the chick emerges – became evident and grew. The other two eaglets hatched earlier in the week, one late Monday and another early Tuesday.
Over the years, Jackie and Shadow have grown an internet flock and viewers could watch the arrival of Shadow in 2018 after he chased off another male. Whether the bald eagles bear progeny has been big drama for followers. Jackie and Shadow welcomed chicks in 2019 and 2022, but tragically lost eggs in 2023 and 2024.
This year’s trio makes it seem as if “Mother Nature is making up for the last few years of no eggs,” one follower posted on the Facebook page.
The first feedings of all three have already successfully taken place, and so far the third chick doesn’t seem to have any trouble keeping up with his older siblings. Frequent contributor “NightBot” posted on the FOBBV YouTube page, “First feedings may be awkward while chicks are learning to sit up & hold their heads up. Meals include several grams of food w/ a great deal of parents’ saliva, rich in electrolytes & antibodies.”
You can follow the journey with Jackie and Shadow on the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FoBBV) YouTube page.
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Photo Credit: Petar Marshall / Shutterstock.com