How much longer will eaglets Sandy and Luna stay on the nest? ^⁠12%

7/16/2026, 4:03:00 PM

Topics: Animal Behavior, Conservation, Ecology

Keywords: Eaglets, Sandy, Luna, Nest, Fledging, Bald Eagles, Jackie, Shadow, Big Bear Valley, Friends Of Big Bear Valley, Fobbv

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Eaglets Sandy and Luna could fully fledge any day now.

They both hatched in the first week of April, putting them right on the upper end of the 10 to 14 week average for fledging.

This means they could leave the nest for good any day now.

To practice for a more independent life, they have been spending more time tree hopping and eating the fish that their parents, Jackie and Shadow, deliver to the nest.

On June 28, Sandy accidentally fledged, when she and Luna stepped onto the nest’s “front porch.”

Luna then tried to jump over Sandy to get back into the bowl of the nest, but Sandy lost her balance and flapped down to the lower branches.

She freed herself from the branches and landed elsewhere in another tree.

Eaglets typically depend on their parents for two to three months after fully fledging.

They will learn how to hunt and work on their flying skills.

Last year’s eaglets Sunny and Gizmo left the nest at 90 and 91 days old , respectively.

After fledging, Sandy and Luna may pop up on the nest cameras from time to time since they are expected to keep to Big Bear Valley for a bit.

However, they are not banded, so their activity will not be fully tracked.

Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 babies: Everything you need to know

It’s been another roller coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow , a pair of internet-famous bald eagle parents living in San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California.

After two of their eggs were destroyed by ravens in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs that have successfully hatched.

Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m.

PDT, while Chick 2 followed on April 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Their large nest in Big Bear Valley east of Los Angeles is livestreamed 24 hours a day by nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated millions.

On May 1, FOBBV announced the chicks’ names: Sandy and Luna .

How long will the chicks stay in the nest?

Chicks usually stay in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age .

What challenges do the eaglets face?

Before leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from other birds of prey, including hawks, ravens, other eagles, and owls.

Inclement weather can also present challenges for the chicks.

In 2025, a March snowstorm resulted in the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.

During fledging, only 70 percent of eaglets survive.

One of the greatest threats is from cars that can injure or kill the birds while they scavenge for food on roadkill.

Who are Jackie and Shadow?

The pair first got together in 2018 and successfully raised chicks in 2019 and 2022.

However, their eggs failed to hatch in 2023 and 2024.

Only 50 percent of eagle eggs successfully hatch, so this pair has already beaten the odds.

What happened to Jackie and Shadow’s 2025 eaglets?

In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that all hatched in early March.

On March 13, a strong snowstorm dumped up to two feet of snow and battered the nest with strong winds.

Only two of the chicks were visible on the live cam when the storm passed by the next morning.

FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of the chicks.

The two surviving chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names were submitted by fans.

What happens after chicks fledge?

Young eagles usually fledge –or leave the nest and fly–when they can flatten their wings and have feathers capable of flight.

This typically occurs when the birds hit 10 to 14 weeks of age .

Males also tend to take their first flight a little sooner than females.

According to FOBBV, fledglings from Southern California have been spotted as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.

About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage.

FOBBV does not tag their eagles, so it’s not possible to follow the chicks’ journeys after they flee the nest.

Can I help Jackie and Shadow?

Yes.

Environmental groups are currently fundraising $10 million to protect Jackie and Shadow’s foraging area from development.