Big Bear Eagle Cam Live
Watch Big Bear’s Famous Bald Eagle Nest Live — Cam 1 & Cam 2
At A Glance
The Big Bear Eagle Cam gives viewers a live look at the famous bald eagle nest and surrounding habitat in Big Bear Lake. Two cameras operate year-round: Cam 1 provides a close-up view of the nest, while Cam 2 follows activity throughout the surrounding trees and habitat. Following Jackie’s death in August 2026, viewers continue to watch Shadow along with Kaydee (KD1), a young banded bald eagle who has been spending time around Shadow and the nest area.
What Is the Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam?
The Big Bear Eagle Cam is a live wildlife camera system overlooking a bald eagle nest and surrounding habitat in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake.
Unlike a documentary or recorded wildlife program, nothing is staged. The cameras show whatever is happening in the habitat at that moment. During nesting season that can include nest building, egg laying, incubation, hatching and eaglet development. At other times, the nest may sit empty while the eagles spend time elsewhere around Big Bear Lake.
The cameras became internationally known through Jackie and Shadow, whose nesting seasons were followed by viewers around the world. Following Jackie’s death in 2026, the cameras continue to document Shadow, visiting bald eagles and the changing story of the Big Bear nest.
Who Operates the Big Bear Eagle Cam?
The Big Bear Eagle Cam is operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a local nonprofit organization focused on wildlife education and conservation. The camera project is maintained in cooperation with public land managers, including the U.S. Forest Service.
Why Are There Two Big Bear Eagle Cams?
The two cameras show different parts of the eagles' habitat.
Cam 1 — Nest Camera provides the close-up view most people recognize. During nesting season, this is where viewers can see activity inside the nest itself.
Cam 2 — Wide View covers more of the surrounding tree and habitat. It can capture arrivals, departures, nearby perches and eagles that are in the area but not sitting directly in the nest.
If Cam 1 looks empty, check Cam 2. The eagles often spend time elsewhere in the habitat, especially outside nesting season.
Viewing tIp
Don't assume nothing is happening just because the nest is empty. Outside nesting season, Shadow, Kaydee and other eagles may spend much more time on nearby perches than inside the nest. Check Cam 2 when Cam 1 is quiet—the wide-view camera is often where unexpected activity appears.
The Story Behind the Eagle Cams
The Big Bear eagle cam was created to give people a way to observe wild bald eagles without disturbing them.
Installed and operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley in partnership with wildlife and forest officials, the camera allows viewers to experience nesting season up close while helping keep the actual nesting area protected.
Because Jackie and Shadow’s nest is located in protected National Forest habitat, most people would never have the opportunity to safely observe this level of behavior in person. The camera changed that by creating a window into a part of wildlife that is usually hidden—without requiring people to visit the nest itself.
Over time, the camera became more than a way to watch eagles.
It became a way to educate people about nesting behavior, show how unpredictable wildlife can be, and create appreciation for protecting habitat and giving animals space.
One of the reasons the Big Bear eagle cam became so well known is because very few bald eagle nests in North America are viewable from this close and with this level of quality.
The cameras have also created a remarkable long-term record of Big Bear's bald eagles. Viewers have witnessed successful fledglings, failed nesting attempts, severe winter storms, Jackie and Shadow raising eaglets, Jackie's final season in 2026, and now a new and uncertain chapter as Shadow continues life in the territory.
Watch the Big Bear Eagle Cam Live
The easiest way to watch Jackie and Shadow is through the official Big Bear eagle cam livestream on YouTube, operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley. The stream is free to watch and gives viewers access to both camera views.
Big Bear Eagle Cam 1 — Nest Camera
Cam 1 provides the closest view of the Big Bear bald eagle nest. During nesting season, this is where viewers can watch nest preparation, egg laying, incubation, hatching and eaglet activity. Outside nesting season, the nest may be empty for long periods—but Shadow, Kaydee or other visiting eagles can still appear without warning.
Big Bear Eagle Cam 2 — Wide View
Cam 2 shows a wider view of the nest tree and surrounding eagle habitat. It's often the better camera outside active nesting periods because the eagles may be perched elsewhere in the area rather than directly at the nest. Camera operators can also pan and zoom to follow activity around the habitat.
What's Happening at the Big Bear Eagle Nest Now?
The Big Bear eagle nest entered a new chapter in August 2026 following the death of Jackie, the longtime female bald eagle whose life with Shadow was followed by millions of viewers around the world. Jackie died on August 10 after several weeks of veterinary treatment for a serious illness.
Shadow continues to be seen throughout the nest territory.
A younger banded bald eagle known as KD1—now nicknamed Kaydee—has also become a regular visitor. Kaydee hatched in Southern California in March 2022 and was first seen on the Big Bear cameras in August 2026.
Since then, viewers have watched Shadow and Kaydee perch near one another, vocalize together and spend time throughout the habitat. Kaydee has also visited the nest.
What happens next is unknown. Friends of Big Bear Valley has emphasized that it is too early to know whether Shadow and Kaydee will form a pair bond. Bald eagles are wild animals, and the cameras give us the unusual opportunity to simply watch the story unfold.
Faqs
Big Bear Eagle Cam FAQs
Is the Big Bear Eagle Cam live 24 hours a day?
Yes. Friends of Big Bear Valley provides the Big Bear bald eagle livestreams 24 hours a day, year-round. What you'll see depends entirely on where the wild eagles are at that moment.
What happened to Jackie from the Big Bear Eagle Cam?
Jackie was rescued on July 18, 2026 after she was found grounded and too weak to fly. She received specialized veterinary care but died on August 10, 2026. Friends of Big Bear Valley has said the underlying cause of her illness is still being investigated.
Who is Kaydee on the Big Bear Eagle Cam?
Kaydee is the nickname given to KD1, a banded bald eagle that hatched in Southern California in March 2022. Kaydee began appearing around the Big Bear nest territory in August 2026 and has since been observed spending time near Shadow. Kaydee is believed to be female based partly on size, but that has not been confirmed by DNA testing.
Are Shadow and Kaydee mates?
Not necessarily. Shadow and Kaydee have been observed spending time together around the nest territory, but Friends of Big Bear Valley has cautioned that it is too early to know whether they will form a pair bond. Their behavior during the upcoming breeding season will tell us much more.
What's the difference between Big Bear Eagle Cam 1 and Cam 2?
Cam 1 is the close-up nest camera. Cam 2 provides a wider view of the surrounding tree and habitat and can capture eagles on nearby perches even when the nest itself is empty.
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