Jackie and Shadow Hatch Two Eaglets in Big Bear

Fans around the world tuned in to a popular livestream on Easter weekend as beloved bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglets to their nest in Big Bear Lake, California, just outside Los Angeles. The first chick hatched on Saturday, April 4, 2026, around 9:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, followed by the second early Sunday morning at about 8:30 a.m., according to the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the nest cameras.

The eaglets' arrival marked a joyful milestone for the eagle pair, who have captivated viewers since the nonprofit installed 24-hour cameras in 2018. The livestream, one of the most watched year-round nature cams on YouTube, drew millions of followers, including 2.5 million on social media platforms. Signs of life emerged earlier in the week, with small chirps detected from the eggs on Thursday, indicating the chicks had broken through the internal membrane. By Friday, observers spotted a pip, or small hole, in one eggshell, a process that typically takes 24 to 48 hours to complete. The nonprofit noted that eaglets are not considered fully hatched until they are completely free of the shell. Video footage captured the first chick poking...