Unidentified bald eagle pays surprise visit to Big Bear nest once shared by Jackie and Shadow

An unidentified adult bald eagle made an unannounced stop at the famous Big Bear Valley nest just before sunset, and viewers watching the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) livestream camera saw it happen live^[1]. The nest, high atop a Jeffrey pine tree, is the home once shared by beloved Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow^[1]. For locals and fans who follow the nest online, any visitor to the site is a moment worth noticing, and this one arrived without warning.

What the camera saw

According to FOBBV, the eagle was unbanded, meaning it did not carry an identifying leg band. The nonprofit said the bird arrived after a peaceful day in Big Bear Valley, took a quick look around, and rearranged a few sticks before moving to a nearby perch^[1].

A photo released by Friends of Big Bear Valley, dated November 2026, shows an unidentified adult bald eagle perched near the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake^[1].

What is known, and what is not

The account comes only from FOBBV, the organization that operates the livestream, as relayed in a news feed item^[1]. It describes the visit as brief and does not say who the eagle is, where it came from, or whether it will return. Because the bird was unbanded, there is no band to help identify it, and no wildlife biologist or FOBBV representative has been quoted on what the visit might mean for the nest.

That means any talk of a new mate for the nest is only speculation at this point. The FOBBV account does not suggest one.

What's next

The nest remains visible on the FOBBV livestream camera, where viewers can watch for any return visit^[1].