Big Bear Bald Eagles: Live Bald Eagle Cam

Each winter, thousands of people around the world tune in to the Big Bear Eagle Cam to watch Jackie and Shadow, the resident bald eagle pair who call Big Bear Lake home. From egg-laying to hatch day to the first flight of the chicks, the camera offers a rare, front-row view of wildlife in its purest form — right here in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Who Installed the Eagle Cam

The Big Bear Eagle Cam was installed in 2015 by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FBBV), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and educating the public about the eagles and other species in the San Bernardino Mountains.

At the time, the nest was occupied by a mated pair known as Ricky and Lucy. The FBBV team obtained all the necessary permits through the U.S. Forest Service and worked with professional climbers to safely mount the camera about 120 feet up in the Jeffrey pine — high enough to capture a clear view of the nest without disturbing the birds.

Not long after the camera was installed, Ricky and Lucy relocated to another nesting site nearby. Fortunately, the tree didn’t stay empty for long. A new female, later named Jackie, claimed the nest, and she was soon joined by a male known as Mr. B. Together they became the first pair to appear regularly on the live camera feed.

When Shadow arrived during the 2017–2018 season and replaced Mr. B as Jackie’s mate, the Eagle Cam continued to document every moment — from nest building to egg laying — turning the Big Bear eagles into a worldwide phenomenon.

Learn More About Jackie and Shadow

Two Cameras, Two Perspectives

The Big Bear Eagle Cam isn’t just one view — it’s actually two cameras working together to capture Jackie and Shadow’s world from different angles.

Camera 1, often called the Nest Cam, sits high in the same Jeffrey pine that holds the eagles’ nest — about 120 feet above the ground. It provides a close-up view inside the nest bowl where eggs are laid, chicks hatch, and the pair tends their young. Every stick placement, wing stretch, and feeding is visible in remarkable detail.

View Big Bear Eagle Cam 1

Camera 2 offers a wider perspective of the area surrounding the nest. It includes two important perches the eagles use regularly — the Roost Tree and the Lookout Snag Tree.

• The Roost Tree is a sturdy pine nearby where Jackie and Shadow rest, eat, and preen when they’re not at the nest.
• The Lookout Snag Tree is an old, bare tree that serves as their high vantage point for scanning Big Bear Lake and keeping an eye on any visiting eagles.

Camera 2 sometimes pans between these trees, giving viewers a broader sense of the landscape and the daily rhythm of life around the nest. It’s also where you’ll occasionally see other wildlife — ravens, hawks, or curious squirrels — exploring the same forest that Jackie and Shadow call home.

View Big Bear Eagle Cam 2

How the Cameras Are Operated

The camera feed is managed remotely by FBBV volunteers and camera operators who monitor activity daily. They occasionally pan or zoom to capture important moments — a sunrise over Big Bear Lake, a visiting eagle landing, or Jackie and Shadow calling from the roost tree.

Aside from these brief movements, the cameras remain stationary to minimize disturbance. Both are powered by solar panels and transmit a high-definition feed that’s live-streamed 24/7 on YouTube for anyone to watch, free of charge.

Wildlife Visitors Around the Nest

The Eagle Cam doesn’t just capture Jackie and Shadow — it also reveals the lively community of wildlife that shares their forest home.

Throughout the year, the cameras often show other birds in the area, including ravens, woodpeckers, and even visiting bald eagles that stop by the roost tree or lookout snag. During winter, when food is scarce, it’s not unusual for these visitors to check out the nest while Jackie and Shadow are away. The cameras have also caught smaller local residents making surprise appearances. Chipmunks and squirrels occasionally scurry across the nest branches, especially during the off-season.

Among the fan favorites are two southern flying squirrels, affectionately named Fiona and Fast Freddie by regular viewers. These nocturnal visitors sometimes appear on the nighttime infrared camera, gliding across the frame or peeking curiously into the nest — reminders that the Big Bear forest is full of life, even after dark.

When the Eagles Are (and Aren’t) in the Nest

If you tune in and don’t see Jackie or Shadow, don’t worry — they haven’t disappeared! The pair is most active at the nest during nesting season, typically November through July.

• Fall & early winter (Oct–Dec): The eagles start rebuilding their nest — adding sticks, rearranging, and bonding.
• Winter (Jan–Mar): Egg-laying and incubation.
• Spring (Mar–Jun): Chick rearing and fledging.
• Summer (Jul–Sep): The eagles often leave the immediate area to fish and rest in cooler spots around the lake or nearby valleys.



During those off-months, the nest may appear empty, but Camera 2 sometimes catches the pair perched together in the roost tree — a comforting reminder that they remain nearby year-round.

Location of the Nest

The exact location of the nest is kept private for the safety of the eagles, but it sits high in a Jeffrey pine on the north side of Big Bear Lake, within the San Bernardino National Forest. The general area is closed to the public during nesting season to prevent disturbance, but visitors around the lake often spot eagles soaring above the lake from the dam to Baldwin Lake.

A Window Into Wild Big Bear

What makes the Big Bear Eagle Cam so special is its unfiltered look at nature — no scripts, no interference, just life unfolding high above the forest floor. It’s taught thousands of people about the challenges bald eagles face, the importance of conservation, and the beauty of coexistence.



Thanks to the efforts of Friends of Big Bear Valley, Big Bear’s most famous residents can now be seen by millions, every day of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California’s best spots to view bald eagles — thanks to a thriving winter population and one very famous local eagle pair. Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear’s only known year-round resident bald eagles, nest high in the trees above the lake and can be watched live on the Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam. Each winter, dozens of migrating eagles also visit the lake, making it a prime destination for eagle watching and nature lovers.