Two Bald Eagle Chicks Hatch in California, Live on Camera — but a Nearby Development Could Drive Them Away

Over the 2026 Easter weekend, tens of thousands of viewers witnessed the birth of two bald eagle chicks hatched in the mountains of Southern California. The event, broadcast live from a nest perched deep in the San Bernardino National Forest, quickly became a viral celebration of new life and the perfect event to host in the spring.

The eaglets belong to Jackie and Shadow, a well-known bald eagle pair whose nesting journey has captivated the public for years. But even as their family grows, a nearby development raises pressing questions about whether we’ll be able to enjoy this iconic couple’s lives much longer.

“Nature provides a type of healing therapy for many people. Jackie and Shadow have unique personalities that viewers can relate to, as well as the dynamics of their relationship. They teach us many lessons in resilience,” said Jenny Voisard, media manager for Friends of Big Bear Valley. Discover.

Two Bald Eagles Hatch: What Happens Next?

The first chick appeared around 9:30 p.m. GMT on Saturday April 4, 2026, followed by a second chick early Sunday morning. The hatchings attracted massive audiences, with thousands watching in real time as the chicks broke free from their shells – a process that can take hours of effort and energy.

“I think people were a little surprised that they hatched so quickly. It’s an arduous process for the eaglets to break free from the inner membrane and outer shell of the egg,” Voisard told Discover. “The first eaglet hatched on Saturday night and 19,000 people watched live[…]. The next morning, 45,000 people watched chick 2 hatch on Easter Sunday.

Although they hatched relatively quickly, the eaglets will grow even faster, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. Bald eagle chicks grow at an astonishing rate, reaching almost skeletal size in about nine weeks. Before taking flight, they will practice balancing and flapping their wings inside the nest, gradually building up their strength for their first jump which will take place between 10 and 14 weeks after hatching.

“Now we watch them figure out how to eat and become siblings. Their first instinct is to compete for food so they have fun and fall on each other. Then they bond and grow,” Voisard said. Discover.

If all goes well, the chicks will fledge the nest in the fall, beginning years of traveling and learning before reaching maturity at around five years old.

Learn more: Endangered mountain gorillas witness rare birth of twins in Virunga Park in Congo

Why a development project could put the Eagle family at risk

Despite the success of Jackie and Shadow’s latest hatchlings, a proposed luxury housing and marina development less than a mile from the nest raises serious ecological concerns.

According to a press release from the Friends of Big Bear Valley, the project targets an area known as Moon Camp, one of the last stretches of natural shoreline in the region.

“Development will lead to shoreline degradation, which means destruction of fish and waterfowl habitat and stress to birds that nest in the area,” Voisard told Discover. “Jackie and Shadow rely on this shoreline for roosting and foraging, so it will be more difficult for them to raise chicks. The noise and disturbance could cause them to leave altogether. There is no natural shoreline left other than this.”

For now, viewers can continue watching and celebrating Jackie and Shadow’s growing family. But, in the worst case scenario, the upcoming development could push the couple away from the beloved nest they return to year after year.

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