Local Wildlife

Kaydee (KD1): Big Bear's New Bald Eagle

The young banded eagle capturing attention around Shadow and Big Bear's famous nest

At A Glance

Kaydee, originally identified by her leg band as KD1, is a young bald eagle who began appearing around Big Bear Lake's famous eagle nest in August 2026. Hatched in Southern California in 2022, Kaydee has quickly become a familiar presence on the Big Bear Eagle Cam—perching near Shadow, visiting the nest, joining him in morning vocalizations and exploring the surrounding habitat.



Whether Kaydee and Shadow will eventually form a pair is still unknown. For now, viewers have a rare opportunity to watch a new chapter in Big Bear's bald eagle story unfold naturally.

Quick Facts

NAME
Kaydee


BAND ID
KD1


HATCHED
March 2022


HATCH LOCATION
Prado Basin, Southern California


AGE
About 4½ years*


FIRST SEEN ON BIG BEAR CAMS
August 6, 2026

*Age as of September 2026.

Who Is Kaydee (KD1)?

Kaydee is a banded bald eagle who began spending time in the Big Bear eagle habitat during the summer of 2026. Unlike Jackie and Shadow, who are unbanded, Kaydee's leg band gives researchers and observers something unusual: a connection to her known history before she arrived in Big Bear.


Her band identifies her as KD1. Records show that she hatched in the Prado Basin in Southern California in March 2022, making her approximately four and a half years old when she began appearing around Big Bear Lake.



Kaydee was first seen on the Big Bear cameras on August 6, 2026. At first, she was simply one of several younger bald eagles being observed around the valley during the eagles' off-season. Within days, however, viewers began noticing her spending increasing amounts of time near Shadow and in trees he regularly uses.

Where Did Kaydee Come From?

Kaydee isn't one of Jackie and Shadow's offspring.


KD1 hatched in the Prado Basin of Southern California in March 2022 and was banded when young. Bald eagles commonly disperse from where they hatch as they mature, traveling and exploring different territories before eventually establishing their own adult relationships and nesting areas.



By August 2026, Kaydee's travels had brought her to Big Bear Valley.

Her band made it possible to distinguish her from the other subadult bald eagles being seen around Big Bear at the time and connect the bird appearing on the cameras with her known origin in Southern California. 

How Did KD1 Get the Name Kaydee?

Kaydee’s name actually started with the people watching her.

When the young eagle began appearing around the Big Bear nest, viewers were able to read KD1 on her leg band. Across Facebook groups, eagle-watching communities, and discussions surrounding the live cams, people quickly began referring to her as KD and, increasingly, Kaydee.



At first, Friends of Big Bear Valley pushed back on giving the visiting eagle a name. The organization explained that it does not typically name eagles simply because they appear around the nest and specifically asked viewers to refrain from naming her. At that point, no one knew whether KD1 was simply passing through Big Bear or would remain in the territory.

But the name had already caught on.


As KD1 continued appearing around the nest and spending time near Shadow, Kaydee was already the name many viewers were using for her. On August 19, 2026, Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that they would also refer to KD1 as “Kaydee,” effectively making official the name that had already emerged among the viewing community.


It’s an unusual part of Kaydee’s story: she wasn’t simply given a name by the organization operating the cameras. Her viewers helped give her one first.


Whether Kaydee ultimately remains in Big Bear or eventually moves on, the name that began with the letters on her band—and the people watching her—has stuck.

Kaydee and Shadow: What's Happening?

Kaydee's arrival attracted attention because she didn't simply pass through the Big Bear eagle territory.


Since August, viewers have repeatedly seen Kaydee and Shadow spending time near one another. They have perched in the same trees, exchanged morning vocalizations, flown through the habitat around the same time and spent nights in the same roost tree. Kaydee has also begun visiting the nest itself.


On August 17, the two spent several hours perched together in the Twin Pines. On August 19, they were again observed together in a favored roost tree, vocalizing in the morning and later returning to the area together. In the weeks that followed, these interactions continued, including repeated visits by Kaydee to the nest.


It's understandably tempting to interpret those interactions as the beginning of a new partnership.



But we don't know that yet.

Are Kaydee and Shadow Mates?

Not at this point—or at least not that anyone can confirm.


Bald eagles behave differently outside nesting season. They can be more tolerant of other eagles in their territory and may gather or spend time near one another without forming a breeding pair.


Friends of Big Bear Valley has repeatedly emphasized that Kaydee and Shadow's current behavior does not prove a pair bond has formed. In fact, recent observations have included both friendly interactions and moments when Shadow appeared less receptive to Kaydee's attention.


Big Bear's nesting behavior generally begins to increase during the fall and becomes more pronounced approaching winter. What Shadow and Kaydee do as that season develops will tell observers much more.


For now, the most accurate description is simple:

Kaydee is a young bald eagle spending significant time around Shadow and the Big Bear nest territory. What their relationship becomes is something we get to watch unfold.

Has Kaydee Visited Jackie and Shadow's Nest?

Yes.


Kaydee made her first documented visit to the Big Bear nest on August 10, 2026, only hours after the announcement that Jackie had died. She has returned multiple times since then.


Cameras have captured Kaydee standing in the nest, exploring branches around the nest tree and even moving sticks—normal eagle behavior that has naturally generated considerable interest among viewers.


A visit to the nest does not necessarily mean Kaydee is claiming it or preparing to nest with Shadow. Eagles investigate nests and territories for many reasons, particularly outside active breeding season.



What becomes much more meaningful will be whether Kaydee continues returning as Big Bear moves into the fall and winter nesting period.

Is Kaydee Replacing Jackie?

No eagle can simply “replace” Jackie.


Jackie had her own history in Big Bear Valley, from hatching in Big Bear to raising eaglets with Shadow and becoming one of the most watched wild bald eagles in the world. Her story remains part of the history of this nest regardless of what happens next.


But bald eagles are wild animals, and their lives continue according to natural behavior rather than the story people may want or expect.

Kaydee is a different eagle with her own history. Her arrival happened during an extraordinary period of change in the Big Bear territory, and her increasing interactions with Shadow are worth observing without forcing them into a predetermined outcome.



Jackie remains part of Big Bear's eagle history. Kaydee's story is only beginning.

How Can You Watch Kaydee?

Kaydee can frequently be seen on the Big Bear Eagle Cam, although there is never a guarantee that she—or any eagle—will be visible at a particular moment.


Cam 1 provides the close-up view of the nest itself and is the best place to watch when Kaydee visits the nest.


Cam 2 shows the wider habitat and is often more useful outside nesting season, when Kaydee and Shadow may be perched in nearby trees rather than directly at the nest.



Because the cameras document wild animals rather than a scheduled program, some of the most interesting moments happen without warning.

Kaydee's Big Bear Timeline

August 6, 2026

KD1 Appears on the Big Bear Cameras

A young banded bald eagle begins appearing around the Big Bear eagle habitat. Viewers are able to read KD1 on her leg band, giving the unfamiliar eagle an identity that distinguishes her from other visiting eagles.


Early August 2026

Viewers Begin Calling Her KD and Kaydee

As KD1 continues appearing on the cameras, eagle watchers begin referring to her as KD and Kaydee, a natural play on the letters visible on her band. The names spread through Facebook groups and other eagle-watching communities as interest in the new visitor grows.


August 10, 2026

First Documented Visit to the Nest

KD1 makes her first documented visit to the Big Bear nest. Her continued presence—and increasing activity around an area so closely associated with Jackie and Shadow—draws even more attention from viewers.


August 13, 2026

KD1's Identity and History Become Known

Information connected to KD1's band identifies her as an eagle hatched in the Prado Basin in March 2022, giving viewers a rare opportunity to know something about the history of a visiting Big Bear eagle.


Mid-August 2026

FOBBV Asks Viewers Not to Name the Eagle

As Kaydee becomes increasingly common among viewers, Friends of Big Bear Valley reminds the community that it does not typically name visiting eagles and asks people to refrain from naming KD1. At the time, it is still unclear whether she is simply passing through or will remain around the Big Bear territory.


August 17, 2026

KD1 Spends More Time Near Shadow

Shadow and KD1 are observed spending extended periods near one another, including several hours perched in the Twin Pines. Her continued presence around Shadow and the territory intensifies interest in the young eagle.


August 19, 2026

FOBBV Adopts the Name “Kaydee”

By this point, Kaydee is already widely being used by viewers and in eagle-watching communities. Friends of Big Bear Valley announces that it will also use the name “Kaydee” for KD1, effectively adopting and formalizing the community name that had already taken hold.


Late August 2026

More Nest Visits and Time With Shadow

Kaydee continues appearing around the territory, visiting the nest, perching near Shadow and joining him in vocalizations. What initially looked like a visit from another young eagle begins developing into a much more closely watched story.


September 2026

Kaydee Remains in Big Bear

Kaydee continues to be seen around the Big Bear eagle territory and near Shadow. Her continued presence raises an obvious question—whether the relationship could eventually develop into a pair bond—but there is not yet enough evidence to know.


The Story Continues

Kaydee's story is still unfolding. Her arrival, the name viewers gave her, her growing familiarity around the nest, and her interactions with Shadow have made her one of the most closely watched eagles in Big Bear.


We’ll continue updating this timeline as meaningful, confirmed developments occur.

What Happens Next for Kaydee and Shadow?

Fall and early winter should tell us considerably more.


Nesting behavior around the Big Bear nest generally begins gradually in October or November and increases as winter approaches. With Jackie gone, no one knows exactly what Shadow will do during the upcoming breeding season—or whether Kaydee will still be part of the territory when that happens.


That's precisely what makes this moment unusual.



Instead of knowing the ending and looking backward, viewers are watching a wild relationship develop—or not develop—in real time.

We'll update this page as meaningful, confirmed developments occur.

Good to Know

Kaydee's sex has not been scientifically confirmed. No DNA testing was performed when KD1 was banded. Because Kaydee appears larger than Shadow—and female bald eagles are generally larger than males—Friends of Big Bear Valley currently believes Kaydee is likely female. Until DNA or other definitive evidence confirms it, however, she should technically be described as likely female rather than definitively female. 

Local Insight

Don't judge what's happening only by the nest camera. Outside active nesting season, Big Bear's eagles spend much of their time elsewhere in the habitat. Kaydee and Shadow have repeatedly been spotted together in surrounding perch and roost trees, so Cam 2 can be much more interesting than the close-up nest view when Cam 1 appears empty.

Faqs

Kaydee (KD1) FAQs

  • Who is Kaydee the Big Bear eagle?

    Kaydee is the nickname given to KD1, a banded bald eagle hatched in Southern California in March 2022. She began appearing around Big Bear's eagle habitat in August 2026 and has since been frequently observed near Shadow and the famous Big Bear nest.

  • How old is Kaydee?

    Kaydee hatched in March 2022, making her approximately four and a half years old as of September 2026.

  • Is Kaydee female?

    Kaydee's sex has not been confirmed by DNA testing. Friends of Big Bear Valley believes she is likely female, in part because she appears larger than Shadow, but that remains an observation rather than scientific confirmation.

  • What does KD1 mean?

    KD1 is the identification visible on Kaydee's leg band. That band allowed observers to connect the eagle appearing in Big Bear with records showing that she hatched in the Prado Basin in Southern California in March 2022.

  • Are Kaydee and Shadow mates?

    There is currently no confirmation that Kaydee and Shadow have formed a pair bond. They have repeatedly perched, vocalized and spent time together around the nest territory, but Friends of Big Bear Valley has emphasized that their relationship remains uncertain.

  • Is Kaydee replacing Jackie?

    No. Kaydee is a different wild bald eagle with her own history. Jackie remains an important part of Big Bear's eagle history and Shadow's story. Kaydee's arrival represents a new chapter in the territory, but what role she ultimately plays remains unknown.

  • Can I watch Kaydee live?

    Yes, when she is within camera range. Kaydee has appeared on both Big Bear Eagle Cam 1 at the nest and Cam 2 throughout the surrounding habitat. Because she is a wild eagle, there is no schedule or guarantee that she will be visible.