Meet Jackie & Shadow

Big Bear Lake's Famous Bald Eagle Residents

Who are Jackie & Shadow

Jackie and Shadow are the resident bald eagle pair most closely associated with Big Bear Lake and the pair featured on the Big Bear eagle cam. Over the years, they have become one of the most recognized bald eagle pairs in the country, with thousands of people following their nesting seasons each year.

Jackie, the female, has been part of Big Bear’s eagle story for years. Shadow later became her mate after replacing a previous male, and the pair has remained together ever since.

What makes Jackie and Shadow different from most wildlife stories is that people are not watching a controlled environment—they are watching wild bald eagles living naturally in the San Bernardino Mountains. Through the live cam, viewers follow everything from quiet days at the nest to storms, nesting behavior, and major moments during eagle season.

For many people, Jackie and Shadow have become more than local wildlife—they’ve become part of what winter in Big Bear feels like.

Can You See Them in Person?

Maybe—but it’s not something you should plan your trip around.

Jackie and Shadow are wild bald eagles, and like most wildlife in Big Bear, they move based on conditions, food availability, weather, and what they’re doing during the season. Even people who spend a lot of time outdoors in Big Bear rarely see them directly.

Bald eagles can occasionally be spotted around Big Bear Lake—especially along quieter stretches of shoreline and areas where they perch or hunt—but sightings are never guaranteed.

If your goal is specifically to follow Jackie and Shadow, the live eagle cam is still the best experience. You’ll get a closer look than you would in person while helping keep the nest protected.

For visitors hoping to see bald eagles in the wild, your best approach is to enjoy designated public viewing areas around the lake, bring binoculars, and treat any sighting as a lucky moment rather than something you expect.

Can I Watch them Live?

Yes. There are two cameras with a public live feed.

Jackie and Shadow became widely known after the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) installed the Big Bear eagle cam near their nest.

The project gave people something that is normally impossible—an opportunity to observe wild bald eagles up close without disturbing them.

With cameras positioned to show both the nest and surrounding area, viewers could watch nesting season unfold in real time from anywhere in the world. People began tuning in to see everything from nest building and egg laying to storms, feeding routines, hatchings, and the quieter moments in between.

What started as something mostly followed by locals quickly grew into a nationwide audience.

Unlike a documentary or controlled wildlife exhibit, nothing is staged. Some seasons bring exciting milestones. Other seasons are difficult and unpredictable. That authenticity became part of the appeal and kept people coming back.

Jackie & shadow Through the Years

Jackie’s story in Big Bear started before Shadow arrived.

Before becoming Big Bear’s most recognized eagle pair, Jackie previously nested with another male known as Mr. B. After that pair separated, Shadow entered the picture and eventually became Jackie’s mate. Together, they became the pair now followed by thousands of viewers each nesting season.

Since pairing up, Jackie and Shadow have returned to the same general nesting area year after year and have produced multiple clutches of eggs over the seasons. Viewers have watched the full cycle play out in real time—from nest preparation and egg laying to incubation, hatch attempts, raising chicks, and fledging.

Not every season has looked the same.

Some years brought successful hatchings and eaglets leaving the nest. Other seasons were shaped by harsh winter weather, difficult nest conditions, or outcomes that are simply part of life for wild bald eagles.

Because the camera follows the nest continuously, people experience those moments as they happen rather than hearing about them afterward. Followers wait for eggs to appear, count incubation days, celebrate hatchings, and watch chicks grow—while also understanding that wildlife doesn’t always follow the ending people hope for.

That unpredictability has become part of Jackie and Shadow’s story.

Successful Nesting Seasons