With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Storm is headed for Big Bear’s famous bald eagle nest. What it means for newly hatched chicks
Last month, a storm dropped snow onto Jackie and Shadow's nest. This week's storm brings difficult weather for newly hatched chicks.
(
Friends of Big Bear Lake via YouTube
)
A late winter storm is headed for Big Bear and Jackie and Shadow’s newly hatched chicks.
Between 8 and 12 inches of snow, a brief burst of rain and whipping winds could hit the nest, nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, late Wednesday into early Friday, with a winter storm warning expected to be issued by the National Weather Service.
While weather is the biggest risk for the eaglets, they’ll likely stay safe as long as they’re able to snuggle under their parents.
The roughly 3-ounce chicks require near constant attention and protection, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that manages the YouTube livestream focused on the famous feathered couple.
Support for LAist comes from
Jackie and Shadow share parenting responsibilities — and they’re no strangers to severe weather. When Southern California was hit with a series of strong storms last February, mama Jackie watched over the nest for nearly 62 hours straight, her longest shift on record.
But the real risk for the chicks would be if another major storm moves through in the coming weeks, according to Peter Sharpe, a wildlife biologist with the Institute for Wildlife Studies and the expert behind Jackie and Shadow’s camera system.
“They're going to reach a point, especially if there's 3, even if there's 2, that they all can't fit under an adult,” Sharpe said. “If they can't really get under the adult for warmth, then they're partially exposed. I think they just get a bit too cold.”
And this has happened to the couple’s chicks in previous seasons.
An eaglet named BBB (for Big Bear Baby) didn’t survive a day-long rain storm and freezing temperatures in 2018. BBB, and its nestmate Stormy, were six and a half weeks old at that point. They were too big to fit completely under the adults to stay dry, but not old enough to have all of their waterproof feathers. Friends of Big Bear Valley believes BBB’s death was from exposure.
Support for LAist comes from
Jackie covered under a blanket of snow on Feb. 25, 2023.
(
Friends of Big Bear Valley
/
YouTube
)
Another chick named Cookie suffered the same fate the next season when it was six weeks old.
“As long as the chicks can be under the adults, they should be fine,” Sharpe said. “ It's just when they reach this sort of intermediate [stage], maybe 3 or 4 weeks till 7 weeks. They're getting pretty large, but don't have their full feathers, so they can get wet a lot easier.”
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
Best of LAist