Big Bear Bald Eagle Eggs Eaten By Raven As 20K Keep Watch On Livestream

BIG BEAR, CA — Two ravens on Friday afternoon attacked and devoured the bald eagle eggs laid this week by Big Bear’s famed birds Jackie and Shadow as thousands watched the live stream nest camera.

Just after 3:30 p.m., the unattended nest was visited by the birds, and one began rolling eggs with interest. It then grabbed an egg and broke it open. Both birds flew off shortly thereafter, as one of the eagles returned.

Roughly 20,000 viewers watched in hororo on livestream as Southern California’s favorite wildlife camera caught a glimpse of ravens devouring the eggs. The ravens flew away, and minutes later, either Jackie or Shadow returned, now resting in the nest.

“Nature is unscripted,” Jenny Voisard, media manager for Friends of Big Bear Valley, told Patch shortly after the eggs were consumed. “Jackie and Shadow both left the nest longer than expected,” Voisard said. “If the raven had to come by, it’s actually good that it was so soon.”

“It’s early yet in the nesting season,” Voisard added. “We’re hopeful that she could potentially lay a replacement clutch. It’s early enough that her hormones could reset, so if they start mating again, then we’ll see.”

This is not the first time since the eggs were laid that viewers were concerned with the length of time the eagles were away from the eggs. Though Jackie and Shadow built up the fluff inside the nest and tucked the eggs in, nothing could prevent predators from feeding themselves.

Naturalists watching the scene zoomed in, observed a crack in one, and noted that the raven did consume the eggs. Even though one of the eggs was cracked, the raven did breach both of them, and they’re likely no longer viable.

Every year is special, with Jackie and Shadow, the way they parent together, and the Friends of Big Bear Valley Team know that better than most.

“It’s a gift to witness whatever it is that we see. We’ll see if they go back to mating, and what happens after they get through this day. This is not the day we expected, but we remain optimistic.”

“Today was a tough day,” she added.

This year, more juvenile bald eagles than usual have been spotted in Big Bear; though they remain unbanded, it’s always a pleasure to see them. “More than two juvenile bald eagles have been spotted in the area, and it could be Sunny and Gizmo.”