(This story has been updated to include more information.)
After abandoning their nest for over three hours, Jackie and Shadow’s eagle eggs were damaged by invading birds near Big Bear Lake on Friday, Jan. 30.
At about 11:54 a.m., one of the bald eagle parents stood up off the two eggs and left the nest atop a 140-foot Jeffrey pine tree in the San Bernardino Mountains.
At about 3:36 p.m., a raven landed and approached the eagle’s nest, then left and returned a few times. Eyeing the skies and the eggs, the bird approached the eggs as a second raven landed near the nest. By 3:31 p.m., one of the invading birds began pecking at the eggs.
At 3:33 p.m., the raven began pecking harder until it lifted one of the eagle eggs out of the nest and cracked it. The second egg appeared less damaged as the birds left around 3:38 p.m.
At 3:46 p.m., Jackie returned and again, began brooding, or incubating the eggs.
The entire scene was captured live by the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s Nest Cam
Nonprofit responds
By 4 p.m., FOBBV Director Sandy Steer, who has updated the public on the eagles via Facebook, had not yet commented on the event.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley later said both eggs were lost, but it is still possible for Jackie to lay another set of eggs during the 2026 nesting season.
Just before 7 p.m., FOBBV recounted the events of the incident.
Just before noon, Shadow left the nest. Jackie did not come in, and Shadow did not return for a few hours.
“We will never know why, but we are sure they had their reasons as they have been incubating the eggs faithfully,” the nonprofit stated. “ After they left the nest, we observed one of the eggs looked like it had broken, with a camera zoom we were able to confirm this.”
They added that it is possible Jackie and Shadow sensed something was wrong with the egg. They could have also been protecting their territory as many other bald eagles have been seen in the valley recently.
Later in the afternoon ravens came to the nest and breached both eggs. Jackie returned soon after and continued to incubate one of the breached eggs.
“There is a possibility Jackie might lay a 2nd clutch of eggs since these were lost early on and we are still early in the season, but there is no guarantee.” FOBBV stated. “Jackie and Shadow will need to move on from incubating first. It generally takes a month for a female’s body to recover and be ready to lay eggs again.”
Laying Eggs
Jackie and Shadow welcomed the eggs to the family nest less than a week ago.
The egg-laying process started about 4:57 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, with the second egg of the season arriving at about 5:09 p.m.
After the nest was abandoned, many online viewers posted on Facebook that the eggs looked cracked.
The FOBBV posted that bald eagle egg shells are thick and sturdy. “They may have nesting material stuck on or around them. This is perfectly normal. Often what appears to be a crack is often nesting material. Please stay calm and enjoy the eagles!”
To read more about the eagle family’s joyous and tragic egg-laying history, read the Daily Press story “Egg number two has arrived for Big Bear eagle couple Jackie and Shadow.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
