'Where is the third baby?' Concern grows over Jackie and Shadow's missing eaglet
Last week, viewers got to witness the arrival of three eaglets – the first eaglet chick emerging from its shell early Monday and the third chick on Saturday within their nest in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.
This was big news for the community of fans following Jackie and Shadow, who have been stars on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, set up in 2016 by the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FBBV). That's because the couple had lost eggs in 2023 and 2024.
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After several days of joy at the late arrival of the third chick, followers became concerned Friday morning when only two chicks were visible during a morning feeding.
"I'm sitting here horrified, where is the third baby?" posted one viewer on Instagram. Many others posted comments on Instagram and in the chat channel on the YouTube page hosting the webcam.
Still, the flock of followers is trying to remain hopeful. "Nothing has been confirmed and there is a big portion of the nest bowl area that is out of view of the camera due to the snow berm along the edge," Friends of Big Bear Valley Executive Director Sandy Steers told USA TODAY in an email.
"So, we cannot see that area or know what is happening. Yes, it possible that the chick is just hidden in that out of view portion," Steers said.
Snow covering the top of the nest makes it hard to see the nest's interior closest to the webcam. The nest, which is about 145 feet high in a Jeffrey Pine tree, could be seen gently swaying in the wind late Friday morning as Shadow rested protecting the chicks from the cold.
Steers suggested fans keep the faith. "We will remember to handle things the way Jackie and Shadow do, one moment at a time and moving forward with whatever shows up in each moment," she said.
Follow Mike Snider on Threads, Bluesky and X: mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bald eagle cam: Concern over Jackie and Shadow's missing third eaglet
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