Viral Big Bear bald eagle chick leaves nest: 'Sunny is out in the world!'
One of the two viral Big Bear Valley eaglets has left the nest.
Friends of Big Bear Valley announced the news on Facebook on Monday with a clip from the live camera feed at the nest perched on a tree in Southern California's San Bernardino County. The nonprofit has been monitoring the eaglets, named Sunny and Gizmo, since they hatched in early March.
They've also been monitoring Sunny and Gizmo's parents, Jackie and Shadow.
In their Facebook post, Friends of Big Bear Valley announced that eaglet Sunny flew from the nest on Monday at 10:46 a.m.
"She put up her wings to catch the wind and then jumped up and let those beautiful wings carry her," the post began. "She circled back around toward Shadow and Jackie's favorite roost tree…"
The post continued, "Gizmo watched the whole thing from right beside Sunny. She looked completely fascinated and kept her eyes on Sunny flying away from the nest. …and a bit later, our awesome camera operators were able to find Sunny, perching near the top of the roost tree (upper center on the screen) -- watch closely and her practice flapping will show you where she is."
FOBBV went on to say that Sunny may return to the nest like all of Jackie and Shadow's previous eaglets, but it's "up to her at this point."
In the meantime, the nonprofit said Sunny's parents will continue "bringing her food, guarding her and teaching her all that she needs to know to be out in the world. All while they also continue taking care of Gizmo. Gizmo has a lot to think about."
"Congratulations, Sunny! -- as we get to feel exuberance of this beautiful success and at the same time, sadness for change that means seeing her less often. Sunny is out in the world!"
FOBBV has been monitoring Jackie and Shadow since they noticed two eggs in the nest in 2023. Those two eggs never hatched, but when the eagles had eggs again this spring, interest in the family grew again.
Jackie and Shadow also had a third chick in addition to Sunny and Gizmo, but it died mid-March following a winter storm, according to FOBBV.
