Remembering Jackie, Big Bear Valley’s Famous Bald Eagle
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Jackie, the beloved bald eagle from Big Bear Valley, California, died on August 10, 2026. She was about 14 years old. Jackie's troubles began in mid-July, when she was apparently involved in a fight with two young bald eagles. She was later found on the ground, unable to fly. A rescue team took her to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment.
As it turned out, the fight was only part of the problem. Jackie was severely anemic and had other serious health problems. Veterinarians gave her oxygen, fluids, and a blood transfusion to help her recover. She showed signs of improvement at times, but her condition worsened over the weekend before she died. Despite multiple tests and scans, her doctors never found the exact cause of her illness. Jackie’s death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Big Bear Valley’s history. To understand why the bald eagle became so special to so many people, it helps to go back to the beginning.
Jackie's life began with Ricky and Lucy, Big Bear Valley’s first full-time bald eagle residents. In 2012, the pair produced the first documented bald eagle chick known to have hatched in the valley. The chick, known as Jackie, left the nest that spring after learning to fly.
Four years later, a female eagle began visiting Ricky and Lucy's former nest. Locals believed she was Jackie, although that could never be confirmed because she had not been tagged. The name stuck, and the eagle soon paired with a male called Mr. B. A livestream camera installed by Friends of Big Bear Valley gave people around the world a close look at the eagles' lives.
Then, in 2018, an adult male eagle began repeatedly visiting the nest. Jackie and Mr. B tried to drive him away, but the newcomer refused to leave. The eagle was later named Shadow. Mr. B eventually left the nest, and Shadow became Jackie's new mate. Millions of viewers around the world followed Jackie and Shadow through the joys and challenges of life in the wild, making them one of the world’s most famous bald eagle pairs.
Jackie may be gone, but her story will live on through the nest she called home. Shadow has since returned to the nest and has been spending time with a younger eagle known as Kaydee. Friends of Big Bear say it is too soon to tell if they will become mates. Viewers will have to stay tuned to see what happens next.
Resources: theguardian.com, usatoday.com, cbsnews.com, ojairaptorcenter.org
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29 Comments
marigold3 days:(- kamehamehaaa3 dayslast year my science teacher had the 24 h live cam on the smart board
ilovehenrydsaf13 daysRip. 😭
dududohafalo3 daysI was so sad when I heard Jackie passed away. Rip Jackie we will always remember you😭- bipyhevylewy3 daysThis is really sad!! :( she did not deserve this…. R.i.p. Jackie… u will be missed😢
- revamiryjedi3 daysFirst Dolly Parton, then Tim Curry, now this.
- bipyhevylewy3 daysTHIS IS REALLY COOL!! But….rip jackie :(( >>3
- noahberg063 daysShe’s with tung tung now :)
- mivozecajira4 daysthat's so sad I remember the times when jackie and shadow married and gaved a birth to two little eagles
jesuslovesyou94 daysSo sad. I hope there's a next chapter of Big Bear Valley’s Bald Eagle's.
jesusanddogs133 daysI agree! They should totally do another one. RIP, Jackie, the eagle who lives forever in our hearts.
lucap10014 daysRIP Jackie T-T