Jackie and Shadow's eaglets can now see like their dad and mom

Excessive above Large Bear Lake in southern California, a pair of eaglets’ eyesight is coming into focus. Sandy and Luna, the 2026 chicks of internet-famous bald eagles Jackie and Shadow, now boast imaginative and prescient talents practically equal to that of grownup birds.

In accordance the Mates of Large Bear Valley (FOBBV), the non-profit group chargeable for the 24/7 stay cam, the bald eagle chicks can now monitor objects like squirrels and airplanes within the distance. Viewers can spot Sandy and Luna bobbing their heads as they watch issues transfer. “This ‘bobbing’ helps them calculate the precise distance and pace of shifting objects,” FOBBV explains.

This imaginative and prescient maturation sometimes happens round 35 days outdated. The bodily adjustments to their eyes take a bit longer—about 5 years. You’ll discover that Sandy and Luna have black-looking eyes whereas their dad and mom’ eyes seem as a lighter, creamy yellow. The eyes lighten as they age, evolving from extraordinarily darkish brown to a lighter brown to a creamy brown to yellow.

closeup on chick's face — Quite a bit will change for Sandy and Luna. *Pictures: FOBBV*

bald eagle with yellow eyes — Quite a bit will change for Sandy and Luna. *Pictures: FOBBV*

Maturing eyesight isn’t the one bodily change the chicks have undergone. At round 35 days outdated, eaglets’ leg bones additionally harden. So whereas their ft stay comically massive, their leg bones have reached their full size, permitting Sandy and Luna to stroll across the nest with extra confidence of their steps.

Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest - Cam 1 thumbnail

It’s been one other curler coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle dad and mom dwelling in San Bernardino Nationwide Forest in Southern California. After two of their eggs have been destroyed by ravens in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs which have efficiently hatched.

Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. PDT, whereas Chick 2 adopted on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Their massive nest in Large Bear Valley east of Los Angeles is livestreamed 24 hours a day by nonprofit Mates of Large Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated tens of millions.

On Could 1, FOBBV introduced the chicks’ names: Sandy and Luna.

How lengthy will the chicks keep within the nest?

Chicks normally keep within the nest till 10 to 14 weeks of age.

What challenges do the eaglets face?

Earlier than leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from different birds of prey, together with hawks, ravens, different eagles, and owls. Inclement climate may also current challenges for the chicks. In 2025, a March snowstorm resulted within the loss of life of one in all Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.

Throughout fledging, solely 70 % of eaglets survive. One of many best threats is from vehicles that may injure or kill the birds whereas they scavenge for meals on roadkill.

Who’re Jackie and Shadow?

The pair first bought collectively in 2018 and efficiently raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. Nonetheless, their eggs didn’t hatch in 2023 and 2024. Solely 50 % of eagle eggs efficiently hatch, so this pair has already crushed the chances.

What occurred to Jackie and Shadow’s 2025 eaglets?

In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that each one hatched in early March. On March 13, a robust snowstorm dumped as much as two ft of snow and battered the nest with sturdy winds. Solely two of the chicks have been seen on the stay cam when the storm handed by the subsequent morning. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of many chicks. The 2 surviving chicks have been later named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names have been submitted by followers.

What occurs after chicks fledge?

Younger eagles normally fledge–or depart the nest and fly–after they can flatten their wings and have feathers able to flight. This sometimes happens when the birds hit 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males additionally are inclined to take their first flight a bit of prior to females.

In keeping with FOBBV, fledglings from Southern California have been noticed as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone Nationwide Park.

About 70 % of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. FOBBV doesn’t tag their eagles, so it’s not attainable to observe the chicks’ journeys after they flee the nest.