Jackie, Big Bear's beloved bald eagle, dies at 14 after weeks of treatment

Jackie, the iconic Big Bear bald eagle who captivated millions through an online nest camera, died early on September 6, 2026, just after sunrise, following a prolonged battle with severe anemia that left her critically ill despite weeks of round-the-clock care at the Ojai Raptor Center in Ventura County^[1]. She was 14 years old. For Big Bear Valley residents who watched her ride out fierce winter storms from her perch high in a Jeffrey pine — and for an enormous global audience who logged on to do the same — Jackie was more than a bird. She was the valley's most famous neighbor.

From a hatching in 2012 to a global following

Jackie holds a singular place in Big Bear history: she was the first bald eagle known to hatch in the valley in modern history, emerging from her egg in 2012^[1]. Over the following decade, she and her mate Shadow raised multiple eaglets and weathered season after season in their nest overlooking Big Bear Lake. That nest, perched in a Jeffrey pine, became one of the most-watched wildlife cameras in the world, drawing tens of thousands of viewers during winter storms alone and building a global community of fans who followed every egg, every fledgling leap, and every close call^[1].

Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates the livestream, announced Jackie's death in a statement to supporters, calling it "a heartbreaking loss for the Big Bear community and for everyone around the world who loved her"^[1].

What happened in her final weeks

Jackie was rescued in mid-July after being found grounded near Big Bear Lake. Early reports pointed to an injury from a clash with two juvenile eagles, but veterinarians later determined she had already been gravely ill before that encounter^[1]. The underlying cause was severe anemia: her packed cell volume — a key measure of red blood cell health — had fallen to life-threatening levels^[1].

Over her final three weeks at the Ojai Raptor Center, Jackie underwent oxygen therapy, blood transfusions, diagnostic imaging, and constant monitoring. The center described her condition as "extremely critical" throughout her stay, noting brief periods of stability before she declined again^[1]. She could not recover.

What comes next for the nest

Jackie's remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further analysis^[1]. The nest, for now, sits quiet.

Shadow, her longtime mate, has been seen flying in the area, but experts say it is too soon to know what will happen next — whether he will return to the nest, attract another mate, or move on^[1]. The balance check on this story notes that wildlife biologists or raptor specialists beyond those already involved could offer more detailed perspective on the nest's future; that expert assessment has not yet been made public.

Friends of Big Bear Valley has not yet announced whether the livestream camera will remain active through the off-season. Viewers who followed Jackie can watch for updates from the nonprofit directly at its official channels.