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Climate and Environment

It’s here! Jackie and Shadow lay first egg of the season

A bald eagle is sitting in a large nest made out of twigs. Its head is looking down, with one of its talons and legs lifted up to reveal a round white egg.
Jackie shows off the first egg of the season.
(
Friends of Big Bear Valley
/
Youtube
)

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Topline:

Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle duo, have laid their first egg of the season.

Why it matters: More than 6,000 people watched Mama Jackie welcome their egg into the nest on the north side of Big Bear Lake through the popular Youtube livestream. Fans are hopeful the bald eagles will get another shot at parenthood after back-to-back heartbreak.

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Why now: After showing signs of labor for several minutes, Jackie laid the egg shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley.

The backstory: Jackie and Shadow laid three eggs last January, but no chicks emerged after weeks of waiting. They also laid two eggs in January 2023, but they didn’t hatch either.

What's next: Bald eagles lay an average of two eggs in what's called a clutch, so we could see more this season. They also practice delayed incubation until the whole lot is laid, so don’t be concerned if you notice Jackie hovering over the nest instead. It’s simply nature at work.

Read more …about the feathered couple’s parenting saga.

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