Bald eagle mom protects eggs for nearly 46 hours during California winter storm
.png "Jackie is seen in the California nest just before Shadow brings her a fish.")
Bald eagle mom Jackie protected her eggs for nearly 46 hours as a winter storm brought freezing temperatures and snow to Southern California.
The storm moved into the Big Bear Valley area Feb. 12 and lasted through Valentine’s Day.
But Jackie remained dedicated to her nest duties and weathered the winter conditions by herself, something she’s done in the past.
When the storm began to clear the morning of Feb. 14, bald eagle dad Shadow came to the nest with a fish in his talons, the Friends of Big Bear Valley said in a Facebook post.
“Shadow was so close to her on his landing that the tail of the fish slapped down right on top of Jackie’s tail!” the nonprofit said.
She took her first break and wolfed down the fish and stretched her wings, a video shows.
Jackie then perched on a nearby tree and took a much-needed break, the nonprofit said. Shadow also got a turn incubating the eggs.
“If only humans could be as loving and devoted as these two marvelous creatures!!!!” one person commented on Facebook.
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When will their eggs hatch?
Jackie laid her first egg Jan. 22, followed by her second egg on Jan. 25 and the third egg on Jan. 28. The eggs were laid in the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
Bald eagle eggs typically hatch after 35 days of incubation, according to the East Tennessee State University.
But Jackie and Shadow’s eggs will likely hatch after 38 to 39 days, or longer, since they have three eggs to tend to, the nonprofit said in the post.
The two eagle parents delayed starting incubation until all three eggs were laid so they would hatch closer together.
It’s possible Jackie and Shadow will have eagle babies to feed at the beginning of March.
Jackie and Shadow haven’t had a successful hatch in two years since they raised Spirit. She fledged from the nest May 31, 2022.
Jackie and Shadow can be watched on the nonprofit’s live eagle camera.
Big Bear Lake is about a 95-mile drive northeast from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Bald eagle mom protects eggs for nearly 46 hours during California winter storm."
