Latest news with #fledging
Fast Company
10-06-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Bald eagle live cam update: What's next now that eaglets Sunny and Gizmo are leaving the nest?
There comes a time in every person's life when they have to say goodbye to a situation that they have outgrown. The same concept applies to eaglets who fledge or leave the nest—typically, when they reach 10 to 14 weeks of age. Millions of people have been watching this happen in real time thanks to a viral nest camera operated by the nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), located in California. Since the beginning of 2025, the live-stream of this family of bald eagles—headed by Jackie and Shadow— has emerged as a bonafide phenomenon of internet culture, providing an escape for Americans burned out on news and politics. Now Jackie and Shadow's offspring, Sunny and Gizmo, have officially flown away from home for the first time, meaning the end is near for their time at home. Here's what to expect next: Gender reveal (or something close) Although the only way to know definitively is through a blood test, at the end of May, FOBBV announced that it believes both Sunny and Gizmo are females. This is because of the sisters' size and vocalizations. Another indication is their love of food. Speaking of eating, the best way to tell the sisters apart is their mouths. The corner of Gizmo's is thicker and more of an orange color. Sunny's is not as curved. Timeline: When did the eaglets first leave the nest? Sunny is the oldest by four days, so it makes sense that she decided to take off first. At 90 days old, she left the nest's Y branch on Monday, June 2, at 10:46 a.m. local time. Gizmo looked on in awe as Sunny made her way to the nearby Roost Tree. Parents Jackie and Shadow spent the night with her perched below. FOBBV warned viewers that Sunny might not return to the nest right away because a flight of that height would require some major wing power. Sunny said challenge accepted and returned to check in on her sister the very next day. She continued to drop in especially during mealtimes. Gizmo's turn On Saturday, June 7, it was Gizmo's turn to fledge. Her first flight was not as graceful as her sister's. At around 8:27 a.m. local time, it almost appeared as if she fell, misstepped, and was forced into flight. Regardless of whether this was accidental or not, she made the best of it and landed on the nearby Simba Tree. This happened at the same time that Shadow was bringing breakfast to the empty nest. The caring dad found his daughter on the Simba Tree and kept an eye on her as she recovered from her big moment. What's next for the eagles? Sunny and Gizmo returned to the nest on Monday for dinner. Fans were happy for this reunion because they know these days are numbered. The eaglets will hang around the area for a couple of months, learning important survival skills—such as hunting—from their parents. After that, they may disperse and find a new territory of their own. Bald eagles can be found in most of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They like to live near a body of water, which acts as a food supply. Their iconic white heads will come in at 4 to 5 years of age, around the time of sexual maturity. Then the cycle will repeat itself all over again, proving that goodbyes are often just the beginning of new adventures. Be sure to watch the web camera embedded below for these last precious moments. (At last check it had more than 15,000 concurrent viewers in the early-morning hours of Tuesday.)
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglet takes flight from nest in California
Big Bear's famed bald eagle parents, Jackie and Shadow, are getting closer to being empty-nesters as one of their two eaglets took flight from the comforts of the nest on Monday. At about 10:46 a.m., one of the eaglets was perched on a branch when she appeared to jump off, flap her wings and fly away. Friends of Big Bear Valley Executive Director Sandy Steers told KCAL News on Monday that it was Sunny who left the nest, while Gizmo stayed behind. "I feel elated that Sunny made it and is flying and is successful," Steers said. It's not yet clear where Sunny flew off too, but young eagles oftentimes return to the nest relatively quickly after their first flight, Steers said. The eaglets were born in March and are around 12 weeks old, making it prime-fledging time. Viewers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam have been anticipating the moment when eaglets Sunny and Gizmo would brave flight. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are between 10 to 12 weeks old when they leave their nest. One of the Big Bear eaglets appeared to take flight around 10:46 a.m. on Monday. Friends of Big Bear Valley Sunny's flight on Monday was the result of days of practice. Friends of Big Bear Valley noted on Facebook posts that the pair had been flapping and jumping, preparing for their flight as they stood on the outer rails of their nest. "The birds show signs of flight as they start flapping their wings hard and fast enough to feel their feet lift slightly off the nest. They will then likely start venturing out onto the outer branches of the nest tree and also practice there," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. Once confident, they will take off, likely near a perch tree where Jackie and Shadow have been hanging out. As of Monday, Gizmo was yet to leave the nest with her sister. Steers said Gizmo was slower developing than Sunny, so it's not yet clear if she'll be ready in the next few days. What's next for the eaglets? Gizmo and Sunny were both determined to be female, based on quick growth. Both will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. It is also not known if they will recognize each other. The organization noted that there is some evidence that bald eagles can memorize, but there have not been any specific studies to verify that information. Most eagles reach maturity around 5 years old, with a white head and tail and bright yellow beaks and eyes.
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eaglet takes flight from nest
Big Bear's famed bald eagle parents, Jackie and Shadow, are getting closer to being empty-nesters as one of their two eaglets took flight from the comforts of the nest on Monday. At about 10:46 a.m., one of the eaglet was perched on a branch when she appeared to jump off, flap her wings and fly away. The eaglets were born in March and are around 12 weeks old, making it prime-fledging time. Viewers of the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam have been anticipating the moment when eaglets Sunny and Gizmo would brave flight. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are between 10 to 12 weeks old when they leave their nest. One of the Big Bear eaglets appeared to take flight around 10:46 a.m. on Monday. Friends of Big Bear Valley Friends of Big Bear Valley noted on Facebook posts that the pair had been flapping and jumping, practicing for their flight as they stood on the outer rails of their nest. "The birds show signs of flight as they start flapping their wings hard and fast enough to feel their feet lift slightly off the nest. They will then likely start venturing out onto the outer branches of the nest tree and also practice there," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. Once confident, they will take off, likely near a perch tree where Jackie and Shadow have been hanging out. What's next for the eaglets? Gizmo and Sunny were both determined to be female, based on quick growth, and Sunny's sex is still unknown. Both will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV wrote on Facebook. It is also not known if they will recognize each other. The organization noted that there is some evidence that bald eagles can memorize, but there have not been any specific studies to verify that information. Most eagles reach maturity around 5 years old, with a white head and tail and bright yellow beaks and eyes.
CNA
28-05-2025
- General
- CNA
First peregrine falcon chicks hatch and fledge in Singapore after efforts to help breeding
CHICKS FLEDGED The older chick fledged on May 18, while its sibling fledged on May 21, said NParks. This refers to young birds growing feathers and learning how to fly. However, both birds were found on the ground floor shortly after they each fledged and were brought to NParks' Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for health assessments. 'X-rays for both chicks showed no fracture, and the first fledgling was released back to its nest on May 20 and the younger one on May 23,' said NParks. The older fledgling has shown that it is now capable of stronger flight and gaining elevation. On May 23, it was spotted with its parents, perched on the nearby One Raffles Place. The next day, it was seen on the building again, but at a higher spot. 'While the fledglings are gaining strength and confidence in flying, they may accidentally find themselves on the ground again,' said NParks. It advised the public to contact NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 if any of the fledglings are seen on the ground. FUTURE PLANS The research team placed temperature and humidity sensors in both recesses on the sides of the OCBC Centre on Apr 30. 'This can help determine if there are microclimatic preferences in nest site selection, based on the prevailing temperature or humidity, which would vary at different times of the year,' explained NParks. 'As Singapore's only known breeding pair of peregrine falcons, these birds provide invaluable research opportunities,' said Dr Malcolm Soh, the principal researcher on NParks' wildlife management research team. 'Their presence allows us to gather crucial data about peregrine falcon breeding biology in tropical regions, where their ecology remains poorly understood.' One particular area of interest is learning what nesting conditions, such as temperature and nesting substrates, are suited for peregrine falcons to breed in urban areas, he said. NParks said that the team will also be reviewing CCTV footage to determine the types of prey caught by the falcons, with Dr Soh adding that the prey species captured by the falcons are expected to be different from those caught by birds nesting in natural habitats. 'By studying their breeding patterns and foraging preferences, we can develop more effective conservation strategies to support their successful adaptation to Singapore's urban landscape,' Dr Soh said.
CNA
28-05-2025
- General
- CNA
First peregrine falcon chicks hatched and fledged in Singapore after efforts to help breeding
CHICKS FLEDGED The older chick fledged on May 18, while its sibling fledged on May 21, said NParks. This refers to young birds growing feathers and learning how to fly. However, both birds were found on the ground floor shortly after they each fledged and were brought to NParks' Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for health assessments. 'X-rays for both chicks showed no fracture, and the first fledgling was released back to its nest on May 20 and the younger one on May 23,' said NParks. The older fledgling has shown that it is now capable of stronger flight and gaining elevation. On May 23, it was spotted with its parents, perched on the nearby One Raffles Place. The next day, it was seen on the building again, but at a higher spot. 'While the fledglings are gaining strength and confidence in flying, they may accidentally find themselves on the ground again,' said NParks. It advised the public to contact NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 if any of the fledglings are seen on the ground. FUTURE PLANS The research team placed temperature and humidity sensors in both recesses on the sides of the OCBC Centre on Apr 30. 'This can help determine if there are microclimatic preferences in nest site selection, based on the prevailing temperature or humidity, which would vary at different times of the year,' explained NParks. 'As Singapore's only known breeding pair of peregrine falcons, these birds provide invaluable research opportunities,' said Dr Malcolm Soh, the principal researcher on NParks' wildlife management research team. 'Their presence allows us to gather crucial data about peregrine falcon breeding biology in tropical regions, where their ecology remains poorly understood.' One particular area of interest is learning what nesting conditions, such as temperature and nesting substrates, are suited for peregrine falcons to breed in urban areas, he said. NParks said that the team will also be reviewing CCTV footage to determine the types of prey caught by the falcons, with Dr Soh adding that the prey species captured by the falcons are expected to be different from those caught by birds nesting in natural habitats. 'By studying their breeding patterns and foraging preferences, we can develop more effective conservation strategies to support their successful adaptation to Singapore's urban landscape,' Dr Soh said.
