Bald Eagle Nest Webcam in Big Bear Valley — Live Stream
Meet Jackie and Shadow: The Stars of Big Bear
This live webcam opens a window into the life of one of California's most famous bald eagle pairs. Jackie and Shadow have been the only year-round resident eagles at Big Bear Lake since 2020. They've been together since 2018, and during the 2019–2022 seasons they laid 11 eggs, 3 of which successfully hatched — the chicks were named Simba, Cookie, and Spirit.
Female Jackie is a figure with a story. She is considered the first chick to hatch in Big Bear Valley in 2017. That same year, she and her partner took over an abandoned nest near the live-streaming camera. Shadow joined later and became her permanent partner — together they turned this nest into one of the most watched eagle residences in the world.
Breeding Season Calendar
Life in the nest follows a strict natural schedule. Breeding season: egg-laying occurs in late January or early February, hatching — after ~35 days of incubation. For example, in 2025 the chicks hatched on March 3 and 4. The pair typically lays 1 to 3 eggs per clutch.
The incubation period is when the eagle nest webcam shows the most serene picture: the parents take turns warming the eggs, adding fresh twigs, feeding each other. After the chicks hatch, the active feeding phase begins — the eaglets grow quickly and by 10–12 weeks are ready for their first flight.
Behind the Scenes of the Stream
The nest camera is mounted at 145 feet (about 44 meters) in a Jeffrey Pine tree. This vantage point provides round-the-clock streaming without interfering with the birds' lives. Installation at this height required special equipment and a permit from the San Bernardino National Forest.
One of the most impressive features is the night mode. The light in the nest is infrared — invisible to eagles and humans, detected only by the camera. This allows the nest to be observed at night without the slightest disturbance to the birds. During the off-season, both eagles sleep on tree branches within their territory, and during nesting season Jackie sleeps in the nest while Shadow sleeps on a nearby branch in case protection is needed.
Big Bear Valley Geography
The nest is located in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains on the north side of Big Bear Lake near Fawnskin, within the San Bernardino National Forest. In 2012, the first documented bald eagle chick hatched here. The surrounding area is closed to the public annually during the breeding season.
Big Bear Lake is a mountain lake at an elevation of about 2,050 meters above sea level. Cold winters, clean water, and abundant fish make it an ideal habitat for bald eagles. The Jeffrey Pine trees where the nest is built are typical for this latitude.
The Bald Eagle: America's Symbol in the Wild
The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782, but by the mid-20th century its population was on the brink of extinction due to pesticides and habitat loss. The DDT ban in 1972 and conservation programs led to an impressive recovery of the species. Today, California alone is home to several hundred nesting pairs.
Observing bald eagles in the wild through a live webcam is more than just entertainment. It's an opportunity to see how a species that was on the brink of extinction has returned thanks to human efforts. Every chick that hatches in Jackie and Shadow's nest is a small victory for the entire population.
What Happens in the Nest at Night
Many viewers are surprised to learn that the bald eagle nest webcam operates around the clock. Thanks to infrared illumination, the nighttime stream shows life in the nest in the dark. Eagles see the world differently than humans — their eyes are adapted for daytime hunting, and infrared light is invisible to them.
At night, you can watch the parents turn the eggs, adjust the bedding, and sleep with their heads tucked under their wings. If there are already chicks in the nest, you can see them huddling together for warmth. Shadow often sleeps on a nearby branch, ready to come to the rescue in case of danger.
Ecotourism and Eagle Watching
Big Bear Valley attracts not just skiing enthusiasts. Bald eagle watching has become an important part of local ecotourism. During the breeding season, kayak tours and binocular-guided walks are organized on the lake — but only at a safe distance so as not to disturb the birds.
For those who can't travel to California, the live webcam is the perfect alternative. The live stream from Jackie and Shadow's nest is available free of charge and without registration. This makes wildlife observation accessible to people anywhere in the world.
What You Can See on the Camera
The eagle nest camera shows a close-up view of the pair's life. In the nest, built from branches, sticks, and plant materials, are two adult bald eagles with distinctive white heads, dark brown bodies, and large yellow beaks. Next to the adult birds, you can see the chicks — small fluffy gray-brown eaglets. A white egg may also be present in the nest. On the left side of the frame, you can see food remains — meat or fish. The nest is situated among branches in a natural habitat — a typical bald eagle nesting site.
