Big Bear Valley’s cherished bald eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow, edged closer to an empty nest this week as one of their two eaglets—nicknamed Sunny—successfully fledged from the nest on Monday, marking a major milestone in the lives of both the young bird and the thousands of online viewers who’ve followed the nest’s progress since March.
At approximately 10:46 a.m., Sunny, nearly 13 weeks old, took her first flight from the nest. Perched on a nearby branch, she launched herself into the air, flapping her wings and gliding away—a moment captured by the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam and watched by an eager community of eagle enthusiasts and conservationists.
“Seeing Sunny make it and fly successfully is just elating,” said Sandy Steers, Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the organization that oversees the popular eagle cam and has provided ongoing updates to fans worldwide.
A Season of Anticipation
Both eaglets—Sunny and her sister Gizmo—hatched in March, aligning perfectly with the typical bald eagle fledging timeline, which generally occurs between 10 to 13 weeks after hatching. Since mid-May, viewers of the nest cam have been on “fledge watch,” eagerly anticipating the moment when the eaglets would summon the courage to leave the nest and take their first flights.
In the weeks leading up to Sunny’s departure, both eaglets displayed increasing signs of readiness: flapping their wings with growing confidence, hopping between branches, and testing their balance on the outer rails of their nest. According to FOBBV’s regular updates on Facebook, these behaviors signal the critical practice needed to build wing strength and coordination before taking flight.
What’s Next for Sunny and Gizmo?
Although Sunny’s precise landing spot remains unknown, young eagles typically circle back to the nest tree after their maiden flight, sometimes even returning to the nest itself. “They often come back relatively quickly,” Steers explained, highlighting that early flights are often short and conservative as fledglings build their flying skills and confidence.
Gizmo, on the other hand, is still perched in the nest, watching her sibling’s progress. According to Steers, Gizmo has been developing at a slightly slower pace than Sunny, so it’s unclear exactly when she’ll be ready to fledge, though it’s likely to happen within the coming days.
Once both eaglets are airborne, they’ll continue to rely on their parents for food and protection for one to three months as they learn to hunt and navigate their territory. “By fall, they’ll take off on their own,” noted FOBBV in a Facebook post. “Since they aren’t banded, we won’t know where they go—or even if they’ll stay together.”
The Path to Adulthood
Both Sunny and Gizmo have been identified as female, based on their rapid growth and size compared to typical male eaglets. They will reach full maturity in about five years, eventually developing the iconic white head and tail, along with the bright yellow beaks and eyes that distinguish adult bald eagles.
Although research suggests that eagles may possess some memory capabilities, no definitive studies confirm whether fledgling siblings recognize each other later in life.
For now, the Big Bear eagle community—and the many dedicated watchers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam—celebrate Sunny’s triumphant leap into the skies, while keeping a hopeful eye on Gizmo as she prepares for her journey.
Why It Matters: The successful fledging of Sunny marks another chapter in the ongoing conservation success story of bald eagles, a species that once faced significant population declines. It also underscores the vital role that live-streaming cameras and community engagement play in fostering appreciation and stewardship for local wildlife.
What’s Next: With Gizmo’s first flight expected soon, fans and conservationists alike are eager to witness the next steps for Big Bear’s eagle family. Observers can continue to follow their journey on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, where every flap of a wing offers a glimpse into the wonders of wildlife in action.
