Shadow returns to the nest — and he may have brought a new friend

Less than two weeks after the death of Big Bear's beloved bald eagle Jackie, her longtime mate Shadow has returned to their famous nest above Big Bear Lake — and he didn't come alone.

A young banded eagle known as KD1 first appeared at the nest on August 10, just hours after Jackie's passing was announced, and has visited several times since[1]. Then, on August 14, Shadow himself returned to the nest for the first time in weeks, with KD1 arriving close behind[1]. The sightings have sent ripples of cautious excitement through the millions of fans who watch the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream — and raised the inevitable question: could Shadow be forming a new bond?

Friends of Big Bear Valley is urging patience. "Is this a new bond forming between these 2? Well, it could be and it may not be, only time will tell," the nonprofit wrote in an update. The group noted that breeding season won't begin until later this fall or winter, so any meaningful answer is still months away[1].

KD1 is not a complete stranger to the Big Bear habitat. The eagle was first spotted on the nest's cameras on August 6 — four days before Jackie died — and had been perching near Shadow in several of his favorite trees in the days that followed[1]. According to the Orange County Water District, which identified the bird through its leg band, KD1 hatched in the Prado Basin in Southern California in March 2022, making it about 4½ years old[1]. KD1's sex has not been confirmed because DNA testing was not done at the time of banding, though the bird appears larger than Shadow — a trait more common in female bald eagles[1].

Jackie's death on August 10 came after 23 days of intensive treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center following a July 18 rescue near Big Bear Lake, where the 14-year-old eagle had been found unable to fly after an altercation with two subadult bald eagles[1]. Veterinarians determined she was suffering from severe anemia and several other serious health problems; despite a blood transfusion, oxygen therapy, and nutritional support, her condition continued to decline[1]. Jackie and Shadow had been together since 2018, and their story captivated millions of viewers through the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream[1].

Shadow had not visited the nest since July 23, the last day eaglets Sandy and Luna were seen in the habitat. The pair are believed to have successfully fledged and left the valley on what Friends of Big Bear Valley calls their "grand journey"[1].

Wildlife observers and the nonprofit alike are cautioning fans not to read too much into KD1's visits just yet — whether the two eagles will ultimately pair up won't be known until breeding behaviors emerge later in the year. Followers of the Big Bear nest can watch it all unfold live through the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream. Independent wildlife biologists who could assess the likelihood and timeline of Shadow forming a new pair bond could not be confirmed for this story.