The American Bald Eagle is both a steel-plated representative American icon and a realization that the Bald Eagle is a powerful and “free against the wind” bird, who can choose their own pathways. In California’s Big Bear region, which is part of San Bernardino National Forest, protection of the Bald Eagle reigns supreme. Since 2012, a Bald Eagle pair here nursed a chick to fledging stage. This was the first time in the Big Bear Valley that a Bald Eagle egg hatched. The nest has been in active use since 2013. A dozen eggs have been laid at the nest, with only a few hatchings. Eaglets have a tough time everywhere. It’s estimated that around 50% of them become adults, while the rest die for various reasons and causes.

Friends of The Big Bear Valley, a non-profit organization with a mission to oversee the protection of wildlife in the area, has set up a live camera known as Big Bear Eagle Cam. The live feed focuses on the current Bald Eagle pair that uses the nest, and 2025 is a particularly exciting time.

On January 22, the camera shows that the first egg was laid. A few days later, egg number 2 was laid followed by a third egg on January 28. The live feed became popular with thousands around the world watching the eggs in anticipation of the hatchings. The first eaglet punched through the egg on March 3, followed by the second on March 4. The third egg was pipped (a pip is a hole where the chick has begun to attempt to extract itself from the egg. The appearance of a pip indicates a bird is inside).

Bird’s Eye View of Three Eaglets

On March 8, the third eagle had become an official chick after hatching. There are now three eaglets being dutifully cared for by their parents. The parents are known as Shadow (father) and Jackie (mother). The three chicks have yet to have names as the naming has been given over to undergoing contests.

The live cam on the family began streaming live year-round on September 15, 2021, at Big Bear Lake. These days, at any given time, around 65,000 (sometimes more) viewers are logged on the YouTube to watch the live-view of the eagle nest.

The chicks are fine as of this writing. They are feeding and growing fast. It is quite a thrill to sit and watch the movement of the chicks and the parents. They should start to fledge at around 10 to 12 weeks and begin to attempt flying at around 16 weeks of age. Until then, the three and their parents are usually hanging about the nest, feeding, growing their feathers, and becoming more active.

Friends of Big Bear Valley is dependent on support from others. Your donations go a long way to help in its mission to support regional wildlife. Their Facebook feed is heartily maintained with nearly a million followers.