The Big Bear Valley community is observing a shift in its local eagle population. Shadow, the bald eagle known for his long-term partnership with Jackie, has been spotted with a new eagle identified as KD1. This sighting follows the death of Jackie on August 10, 2026.
Jackie, a celebrity bald eagle in Southern California, died after a weeks-long struggle with anemia. She was originally known as Jack before researchers determined her gender by her size, leading to the name change. Throughout her time in Big Bear, she provided millions of viewers with an intimate look at eagle behavior through local nest livestreams.
Wildlife experts note that finding a new mate quickly is natural behavior for bald eagles when a partner dies. Breeding seasons in California typically run from January through late summer, and survivors often remain in the same nest location after pairing with a new mate. The ongoing situation with Shadow and KD1 continues to draw attention from those who monitored the previous nest cycle.