Community Chat

[Tinkrbl44]

@Mz iMac    @shoekitty   @Tinkrbl44   @SoCal Bred   @spumoni99   @Jk9   @walker    @Pink123   @LIG1  @candys mine    @Zhills 

2026-04-28

A New Dawn, A New Day…

The mountain chickadee was Jackie’s alarm this morning. Shadow soon came in with breakfish and it must have been a slippery one as he slid right off it!

While Jackie was out taking care of business in the habitat, Shadow stood guard at the nest. He chortled out at Jackie’s loud shrieks as she flew in and landed on the top of the nest tree… she peeked down through the pine needles at the chicks to make sure all was well.

Jackie gave us a great peek into one of the ways the eagles collect sticks for the nest. She flew from her perch, circled around to a branch near the cactus snag and snapped a branch off the tree!

This was a real treat as it is not often we catch that on camera, though we do hear them breaking branches at times. She flew off with the branch and, within moments, found the perfect spot in the nest to lay it… Well, after she laid it on the littles, she found the perfect spot!

Jackie has been giving the chicks their space to bond as she perches and preens on the front porch. Shadow, however, seems to really enjoy his cuddle time with the kids.

Jackie arrived later and insisted it was her turn, and as usual, Shadow didn’t give in quietly; he protested all the way out the front door… Oh my, did that chick just pull on Dad's tail? Not once, but twice! We know which parent that one takes after!

The chicks' big eagle feathers are growing in by the minute, and they are preening often. It is a good possibility that the growth of the feathers might be a bit itchy.

With the eagle’s day coming to an end, and the neighborhood ravens were having one last loud hoorah, Shadow came to check on the family, and they both belted out chortles… They must have been saying to quiet down as nothing more was heard from the ravens!

The naming contest has closed, and the local third graders are now voting, our little eaglets will both have names soon, stay tuned!

GW

[shoekitty]

@Tinkrbl44 @Mz iMac @SoCal Bred @candys mine @Pink123 

I bet those feathers do itch when they come in.  I know my head itches when I have had new growth  I had a friend who said her head itched like crazy when growing hair back from chemo loss.  So I imagine the pushing up of new feathers can itch a bit   These eaglets seems larger, a bit more active than last eaglets. I love to tune in mornings and especially near dusk. The lake looke so beautiful nd such a nice relax ful time for Shadow and Jackie. 
my bets are females.  Any guessers as to sex of chicks?

[candys mine]

@shoekitty I'm with you.  I think both girls too.  They Really do seem large.  I'm loving how one will swing a wing over their sibs shoulders.  So Sweet.  Even if it Is because of cramped quarters.

We should be hearing what names have been chosen any time now.  Don't know what names were on the list but I've always liked the name "Rory".

[candys mine]

THE NAMES ARE IN!

A BIG WELCOME  TO  SANDY AND LUNA!

[Tinkrbl44]

@Mz iMac    @shoekitty   @Tinkrbl44   @SoCal Bred   @spumoni99   @Jk9   @walker    @Pink123   @LIG1  @candys mine    @Zhills 

2026-04-30

Who’s Who?

Before we make the big announcement of the names tomorrow morning, we would like to give you a few observations that our Eagle Observers have noticed on who is who in the nest!

With our observations, chick 1 is larger, has a larger head and neck and has a slight curve to its gape (see pictures below), and has been the more submissive eaglet.

Chick 2 is smaller, has a straighter gape and has been the more aggressive eaglet, though now they seem to be bonding quite well and most of the bonking is over.

There is one more difference we have noted, it is odd, but true...

Chick 2 makes quite the whistle sound when it does a poop shot, where as chick 1 is a bit more on the silent side. Why? We don’t quite know…

These are VERY subtle differences and will likely change soon. The FOBBV team will continue to observe these 2 little ones 24/7 and note all the changes each chick goes through so we can report those changes to you.

Thank you for soaring along with us on this magnificent journey!

The FOBBV Team

[Tinkrbl44]

@Mz iMac    @shoekitty   @Tinkrbl44   @SoCal Bred   @spumoni99   @Jk9   @walker    @Pink123   @LIG1  @candys mine    @Zhills 

2026-05-01

The Votes Are In!

All of you who participated in the contest and the Big Bear Valley 3rd-grade classrooms have spoken… 

The winners are SANDY and LUNA 

Chick 1’s name is Sandy with 30 student votes. 
Chick 2’s name is Luna with 25 student votes. 

The remaining top 5 votes are as follows: 
Star with 22 votes. 
Chip with 22 votes. 
Phoenix with 18 votes. 

Sandy was the most popular name entered with 3706 of the 63,915 names submitted. 

Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her. 

Thank you for your participation and your generous support of Friends of Big Bear Valley from the entire team. You are much appreciated! 

The following is the entire list of the 30 randomly drawn names that were sent to the students: 

Windy  
Luna  
Kazoo  
Wohali  
River  
Whimsy  
Hazy  
Camelot  
Artemis 
Hickory 
Mopsy 
Phoenix 
Star 
Chip 
Glory 
Mako 
Willow 
Sandy 
Dakota 
Penguin 
Nova 
Liberty 
Orion 
Raycee 
Chace 
Echo 
Hope 
Scorpious 
Snugs 
Atlas

[Pink123]

I have no idea, yet a bit. The females are bigger than the gents.  This is how i can tell in our miami group Ron and Rose and extensive knowledge about these creatures, beautiful I might add!

PS. The two juvie's  have flown the coop and seem healthy and happy.  Many hang around Miami and the South Florida area where they come from. Many, don't ask why, I woud not know.  But since we band, sometimes if able, (most are not)   here  they are spotted on golf courses, etc.  I love this!

[Tinkrbl44]

It's 67 degrees in Big Bear on this lovely Saturday afternoon.   The kids seem to be enjoying the breeze.

[shoekitty]

@Mz iMac @Tinkrbl44 @Pink123 @candys mine @candys mine @SoCal Bred 

Sandy and Luna it is!!  I am sure Sandy would be honored.  It is surely wonderful to see her name will live on for a long long time through the eagles she lived for.  She certainly is at the heart of the eagles there. I wonder from description if they are boy and girl?  We will know soon. They just seem fatter than the last round.  But, maybe better photos.  

[Pink123]

Thank you @shoekitty  for the recent update.  Girls are biggger than the boys so if you can get a good shot of these beauties  once in awhile side by side that is what  matters. (If not banded or tested it is our best guess what gender they are.