Quick Take
- Jackie and Shadow, a viral bald eagle pair, welcomed two healthy eaglets in April 2026 on a widely watched livestream.
- After an earlier nesting loss, the couple successfully hatched a second clutch, renewing excitement among millions of viewers.
- The eaglets will rely on their parents for several months as they grow, learn to fly, and eventually leave the nest.
The bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, have become a viral sensation. Thanks to the 24-hour livestream provided by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, viewers can watch the pair’s daily lives. To the excitement of many, the couple laid two eggs, and viewers eagerly awaited their hatching. Fortunately, both eaglets were born safely, making Jackie and Shadow parents again, as seen in this ABC News story. Read on to learn more!
About Jackie and Shadow
Jackie and Shadow are the cutest couple online right now. The bald eagle pair lives in Big Bear Valley, California, about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Thanks to the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, the couple has had a livestream of their nest since 2018. This long-running stream has attracted millions of viewers, including both regular fans and casual visitors. The livestreams document the birds’ daily activities, including nesting, feeding, and enduring intense weather. Viewers see the good and the bad, with some years being particularly rough. Fortunately, the arrival of a new pair of hatchlings has made for an exciting start to the year. Major events, such as the arrival of new hatchlings, always attract a large number of new viewers.
Bald eagles mate for long periods of time, with many for life.
©iStock.com/LagunaticPhoto
Parents Again
In 2025, Jackie and Shadow welcomed their hatchlings, Sunny and Gizmo, into the world. Like most bald eagle fledglings, they leave the nest at around 17 to 23 weeks. The beginning of 2026 seemed hopeful for the pair, as Jackie laid a clutch of eggs. Unfortunately, the eggs were eaten by ravens when left unattended. Although the year started off sadly, things have since improved. In February, Jackie laid a second clutch of two eggs, and luckily, both hatched on April 4th and 5th, an Easter miracle! The hatching came after about 35 days of incubation, with fans waiting in excitement for the new chicks. For now, both chicks depend on their parents for food and warmth. The first few weeks of life are critical; many chicks do not survive to adulthood.
In the first couple of months, the chicks go through rapid growth. The first two weeks are difficult as they are completely helpless and spend most of their time eating or sleeping. As a result, the parents are constantly watching over them. After about three to six weeks, they begin to develop their eagle-like features. By around 10 to 12 weeks, they develop adult wings and begin taking their first flights. During this fledgling stage, the young eagles learn to hunt alongside their parents. Once they are able to survive on their own, they’ll leave the nest to start their own family in the future.
