Shadow finds company: a new eagle visits Big Bear nest weeks after Jackie's death

Big Bear Valley's beloved bald eagle Shadow is not entirely alone this summer. Just days after his longtime mate Jackie died in the early morning hours of August 10 following three weeks of intensive rehabilitation at the Ojai Raptor Center, nest cameras operated by the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) captured a young eagle perching alongside Shadow at his favored trees and, eventually, at the nest itself[1].

The newcomer is a banded sub-adult eagle designated KD1, first spotted in the habitat on August 6[1]. Hatched in March 2022 in Southern California, KD1 is approximately 4.5 years old. Its sex remains unknown — DNA testing was not performed at the time of banding — though observers note KD1 appears larger than Shadow, which could suggest the bird is female, as female bald eagles are typically 25–33% larger than males[1]. KD1 made its first visit to the nest on August 10, the same day Jackie's passing was announced, and has returned to the nest a couple of times since[1].

FOBBV is encouraging cautious optimism. "Is this a new bond forming between these 2? Well, it could be and it may not be, only time will tell," the organization said, noting that breeding season won't arrive until later this fall or winter[1]. "In the meantime, we are happy to see Shadow has some company out there in the habitat."

Jackie's death came after a grueling medical fight. She was found grounded near Big Bear Lake and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, where she underwent a contrast CT scan, bone marrow biopsy, heavy metals testing, and on July 22 received a blood transfusion using donor blood from Spirit, an ambassador bald eagle at the California Living Museum Zoo in Bakersfield[1]. Despite those efforts and consultation with avian specialists nationwide, veterinary teams were never able to identify the primary underlying cause of her illness[1].

A formal necropsy has been performed by veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. In accordance with federal law, Jackie's remains will be sent to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado, where they will be distributed to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes for religious, cultural, and ceremonial purposes[1].

Jackie's legacy in Big Bear Valley spans more than a decade. First documented as a chick hatched here in the summer of 2012, she laid 25 eggs on the nest camera since 2018 and successfully hatched 10 eaglets alongside Shadow[1]. The couple drew a global audience through FOBBV's livestream cameras.

A comment from CDFW or the Ojai Raptor Center on Shadow's behavioral status and the significance of KD1's visits could not be confirmed at the time of publication. FOBBV says informal talks with local organizations about a public memorial for Jackie are underway, though no formal plans have been announced. Residents can support wildlife rehabilitation by donating to FOBBV or the Ojai Raptor Center, or by checking line 439 on California Tax Form 540 to contribute to the Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.