Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies at 14

animalsAug 10, 2026185,245

Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle known to millions from the Big Bear nest live cameras, died in the early morning hours of Monday, August 10, the Ojai Raptor Center confirmed. Jackie, also recorded as Patient 26-519, had spent three weeks in intensive care after being found grounded on July 17 following a territorial fight; veterinarians said she was likely ill before the encounter. The center briefly moved Jackie out of ICU on July 29 but returned her to intensive care when her condition worsened; by Sunday staff were treating unexplained anemia after her packed cell volume fell below 6 percent on Saturday and rose to 9 percent on Sunday, well under the center’s stated ideal above 30 percent. Jackie received oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring until her death, the Ojai Raptor Center said, adding that every decision was guided by medical evidence and Jackie’s welfare. Friends of Big Bear Valley confirmed the death and said Jackie’s remains will be transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Jackie, estimated to be about 14 years old, and her mate Shadow became widely watched as they raised eaglets; their most recent offspring, Sandy and Luna, hatched in April and have since fledged. The Ojai Raptor Center asked for kindness and turned off comments on its social posts to protect staff during the difficult time.

Alt National Park Service

@altnps.bsky.social

Aww, RIP Jackie. 💔 The beloved bald eagle whose life was followed by millions through the Big Bear Lake live webcam has died. She will be missed!

46175h ago

Liz Ahern 🌈🇲🇽🏳️‍⚧️☮️120

Her legacy of resilience, bravery and dedication to protecting her territory and eaglets calls us to do the same.🦅

Wikiwachee79

Jackie and Shadow raised Sunny and Gizmo

Mary65

I've been watching Jackie and Shadow for the last 10 years. Just absolutely heartbroken by the news. 😢

malinois4me.bsky.social43

Hey, Mitch McConnell's office. See how easy it is to announce one's death. The difference - people will miss the eagle.

Pa.gal34

She will be missed, and I hope Shadow does well. In Pittsburgh we always watched mom and dad Hays and dad disappeared a couple years ago. Now mom‘s got a nest across the river and her two babies didn’t live this year. Yes, I watch Eagles. And sometimes it’s hard. But so many loved Jackie. 🦅🪶🪽

kksd4peace.bsky.social27

Thankfully enough money was raised before she passed to buy their home so developers can’t destroy it. Maybe Shadow will find a new mate.

Quoting this

AltFDA6

Fuck you asshole! You’re just glomming onto this to support your grift!

🍁 LadyFireHorse 🍁 my photography @LadyFireHorseLens 📷3

I’m heartbroken. 💔 Jackie was beloved by many. Together with Shadow, we watched her raise her babies who now fly wild and strong like their parents did. Fly free beautiful Jackie. Thank you for the beautiful memories and educating us in the process. You will be missed and forever remembered. ❤️ 🦅

Sen. Adam Schiff

@schiff.senate.gov

Devastated to learn of the passing of California’s pride, Jackie, earlier today. Any visitor to my office in the past year knows we proudly showed the livestream of Jackie’s nest showing alongside C-SPAN and national news. We join all of CA of mourning the passing of one of our most famous icons.

4864h ago

Be.5

Bless her heart🩷I’ve followed Jackie and Shadow’s journey for years. So very sad…

BonFire3

There is a deafening metaphor here 😞

🧝🏻‍♀️⚡️kimmie stardust⚡️🌳(The Dread Pirate kimmie🏴‍☠️) 🐦‍⬛2

Devastating loss. She was so loved.

K-Wullums1

Then join CO in laughing at the Darwin awards. It was almost me in rampart range. Rep rep www.denverpost.com/2026/08/10/c...

jutjutjoanney.bsky.social1

Such a bummer. Seems like yesterday we were watching her covered in snow, or being buffeted by winds, protecting her eggs...🦅

mb111.bsky.social1

Thank you for sharing Jackie with your constituents 🦅

Jacks. Yup! That Damn SOB. 🪶🦬 🐺 🦅 🌎 ⚖️

@palehorse.bsky.social

#Wildlife 🦅 R.I.P. Jackie. 😢 🪶 Jackie, a bald eagle with a devoted internet following, died early in the morning on August 10 in Ojai, California, while in the care of the Ojai Raptor Center. She was 14 years old. The Ojai Raptor Center announced her death. 🦅 www.popsci.com/environment/...

246h ago

Tiffany⸆⸉

@tiffanyclay.dev

I’m absolutely gutted. I’m going to miss Jackie so much. My heart aches for Shadow. #FOBBV

204h ago

Tom

@birdfan.bsky.social

When I first started photographing birds, I always wanted to get a bald eagle. This was my first photo "get" (in Illinois). Jackie & Shadow are a locally famous bald eagle couple in Southern California due to FOBBV nest cam that I followed. Mom, Jackie, just passed away after many days in ICU 😢 💔

On the far, far shore of a local pond in Northern Illinois, a bald eagle flies from right to left of frame. There are many lush, green trees as a backdrop for the soaring eagle. Above the treeline is a hazy gray, monochromatic sky. Then below, green and brown reeds can be seen standing at attention just below the tree line and they form the lower border of the photo. May Jackie, the Big Bear famous eagle mom, rest in peace.

213h ago

DiRebecca (Di)2

I grew up near the mississippi river when there were no bald eagles. Thankfully they’ve recovered & are now common along the river in that area. I get so excited when I see them here along our norcal coast. I was very sad to see that news today too. Here’s one I saw last week in Pt. Reyes.💜

Shiboof1

Crap, I read this morning she was still fighting. Very very 😔

Pia❤️1

Yes, back when I was confined at home during the pandemic, they were one of the few sources of joy for us. I still remember the first egg being laid on January 8, 2020, and the second one three days later. Those are such wonderful memories! By the way, you took some great photos

Marsha8of91

I've been following along with the rest of the world, so sorry for your loss. Hopefully Shadow will find another mate and continue to use that nest.

Rhonda 🌊

@silverarticfox.bsky.social

Wishing Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle a blessed journey to the land of beautiful souls.

131h ago

Dr. René MD 🇺🇸🩺

@drrenemd.bsky.social

I don't know if you remember Jackie, but I've spent many hours watching the live feeds, & it was really uplifting. She was awesome & was very protective as a mother. She is survived by her mate Shadow. This is really sad news 🥺😢💔. Soar high, Jackie 🦅❣️ www.desertsun.com/story/news/n...

83h ago

Kj1

I have visited Big Bear many times and followed Jackie and Shadow as well. Devastating loss to so many who came to love our Bald Eagle family.

Wowie K1

Same here. She will be sorely missed. Signed, an eaglet cheerleader.

Laur Bagley

@laur-rants.bsky.social

Jackie of Big Bear, i will miss you so much. Fly high, you fought to the end, but you knew your time was done. Shadow will move on, but him and us will never forget you. You did so much for eagles and for wildlife, and you'll never know. You were only an eagle, but you brought out the best in us.

Screenshot of Jackie the bald eagle in 2023, announcing the lay of her second egg of that season. The image is at 8:22 at night, and so is black and white in infrared

84h ago

LadyChiron

@ladychiron.bsky.social

I followed this eagle and her family for years via Friends of Big Bear Valley. Watched her and her mate Shadow raise their young year after year. Learned a lot about eagles and the environment in the process. There were tens of thousands of us who did. The community is sad.

115h ago

Elseigh

@elseigh.bsky.social

It is a sad day for all who loved Jackie, the beautiful and fierce eagle from Big Bear who passed away. I found this pic of her with her mate Shadow. 😢🦅 #birds

A headline from the New York Times that says Jackie, arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle, dies after weeks of treatment.

54h ago

Atticus Rising 🇺🇲🐎🩵

@atticusrising.bsky.social

😢 Weeping like a baby over her 🦅. RIP Jackie. Shadow will always love you 💔.

76h ago

ChiliDishGambino

@chilidishgambino.bsky.social

I think bald eagles are cowardly creatures, but they are birds so I am obligated to mourn the passing of each & every one. RIP Jackie

75h ago

tatzanx

@tatzanx.bsky.social

Jackie the eagle is dead. Livestream sensation battled health issues www.usatoday.com/story/pets-a...

33h ago

Pip

@pip75.bsky.social

Absolutely gutted to hear Jackie the Bald Eagle of Big Bear has passed away. Ojai Raptor Center worked so hard the last three weeks to save her. She helped save Moon Camp, was a nurturing Mother to her eaglets, and great partner to Shadow. I loved watching her raise Sandy and Luna. 🦅♥️

34h ago

cynscity.bsky.social

@cynscity.bsky.social

Just found Jackie the bald eagle past away today, so sad and too bummed. May she rest in peace and hopefully Shadow her mate will be okay. RIP Jackie you’ll be missed!

33h ago

3 sources

nbclosangeles.comRIP, Jackie. Beloved Big Bear eagle dies after weeks in ICU, care team confirms yahoo.comJackie, beloved Big Bear bald eagle watched by millions, dies popsci.comJackie the bald eagle dead at 14

Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies at 14animals

Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies at 14

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