Gizmo, Jackie and Shadow’s youngest eaglet, successfully fledged from her nest in Big Bear on Saturday at 8:27 a.m. PDT. Her departure marks the end of the 2025 fledge watch for her parents, Jackie and Shadow, who are now empty nesters. Gizmo follows her sister Sunny, who took her first flight on June 2, a moment celebrated by the Steve Miller Band with a video set to their hit song “Fly Like an Eagle.”
The fledging was captured live by the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s eagle nest cam, allowing viewers worldwide to witness the event. Gizmo’s takeoff seemed unintentional at first, as she appeared to miss her target branch. However, she quickly gained control and safely landed on another tree. Gizmo was the third eaglet to hatch in March, following a sibling who did not survive a snowstorm and her sister Sunny.
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, a wildlife ecologist, explained that young eagles like Gizmo will continue to rely on the nest for safety and food. By six months, they begin hunting independently, gradually progressing to larger prey. It can take up to five years for them to develop their full adult plumage.
The use of live cams has played a significant role in raising awareness about bald eagles, a species once on the brink of extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now an estimated 316,700 bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The live cams have united people worldwide, highlighting the importance of wildlife protection.
Recent Comments