Sunny, one of the beloved Big Bear eaglets, has taken its first flight from the nest, thrilling fans of the live webcam that monitors the Big Bear eagle family. The flight occurred on Monday at 10:46 a.m., marking a significant milestone for the three-month-old eaglet. Sunny’s sibling, Gizmo, watched as Sunny made the inaugural flight from the nest, which is situated in a 145-foot-tall Jeffrey pine.
According to Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, Sunny did not venture far and was later spotted perched at the top of a nearby tree. Steers noted, “It’s exciting to have this beautiful, successful moment — and, at the same time, sad that we won’t be seeing her as much anymore.” Parents Jackie and Shadow will continue to follow Sunny, providing protection and helping with food for the next few weeks or months.
The first year of life can be challenging for a juvenile bald eagle, with less than a 50% chance of survival. However, if they make it through, they can live between 15 to 30 years in the wild. Sunny is the fourth eaglet from Jackie and Shadow to fledge, with three having fledged since the camera was installed in 2015. Meanwhile, Gizmo, who is 13 weeks old, has yet to take flight but is expected to do so soon. Eaglets typically fledge between 10 to 14 weeks of age.
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