Rahul Somvanshi
In a moment watched by thousands of online viewers, Sunny, one of two eaglets born to Big Bear’s famous bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, has left the nest. The young eagle took flight on Monday, June 2, 2025, at precisely 10:46 a.m., marking a major milestone in her development.
“She put up her wings to catch the wind and then jumped up and let those beautiful wings carry her,” reported Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit organization that maintains the popular 24/7 livestream of the eagles’ nest in California’s San Bernardino County.
Sunny, nearly 13 weeks old, had been preparing for this moment for days. Viewers of the livestream observed her practicing wing-flapping exercises and hovering attempts in the days leading up to her flight, building the muscle strength needed for sustained flight.
After taking flight, Sunny circled back toward her parents’ favorite roost tree, where camera operators later spotted her perched near the top, still practicing her wing movements.
Sandy Steers, Executive Director of FOBBV, expressed mixed emotions about the event. “I feel elated that Sunny made it and is flying and is successful, and sad at the same time,” Steers said, noting that viewers will likely see less of Sunny now that she’s left the nest.
Meanwhile, Gizmo, Sunny’s sister, remains in the nest. According to Steers, Gizmo watched Sunny’s departure with fascination, seeming to process this significant change. Gizmo has been developing more slowly than her sister, and it’s unclear when she might take her first flight.
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Both eaglets hatched in early March, along with a third sibling named Misty who died during a severe winter storm in mid-March. After much observation and vocal frequency analysis, experts have determined that both Sunny and Gizmo are female.
Bald eaglets typically fledge (leave the nest) between 10 to 14 weeks of age, making Sunny’s first flight right on schedule. The “fledge watch” by online viewers began around May 13, as the eaglets approached this critical developmental window.
Though Sunny has left the nest, her journey to independence continues. FOBBV notes that fledgling eagles usually stay in the vicinity of their nest for one to three months after their first flight. During this time, Jackie and Shadow will continue to feed, guard, and teach Sunny survival skills while also caring for Gizmo.
Sunny may return to the nest periodically, a behavior observed in Jackie and Shadow’s previous offspring. By fall, both eaglets will likely take off on their own. Since they aren’t banded, researchers won’t be able to track their movements or know if they stay together.
The Big Bear eagles have become an internet sensation, with thousands following their daily activities through the FOBBV camera. Their story represents a fascinating window into the natural world as viewers continue to watch both Sunny’s progress outside the nest and Gizmo’s development.
Viewers can continue to follow the eagles’ progress through the Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel and website, where the livestream continues to capture this real-time nature story.
