For bald eagles, figuring out who's who in the nest takes a bit longer than, say, a quick ultrasound. But after nine weeks of intense observation (and probably a few highly scientific debates), the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) have announced that Jackie and Shadow's latest additions are likely a boy and a girl.
Yes, Sandy (believed to be female) and Luna (definitely a boy, apparently) have finally had their sexes revealed. The FOBBV, who run the 24/7 livecam of these avian celebrities, got a little Sherlock Holmes with it.
Their big clue? Voice pitch. Apparently, lady eagles have bigger voice boxes and deeper, lower-pitched calls. So, by running Sandy and Luna's chirps through some fancy frequency apps, they found consistent differences. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying for future teenage eagles.
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxWhile only a blood test can truly confirm (because who wants to stick a needle in a nine-week-old eaglet?), the chicks' bone structure and foot pads are fully grown, and their eyesight is now as sharp as their parents'. So, FOBBV is feeling pretty confident in their assessment.
The Drama Continues in the Nest
Jackie and Shadow, the power couple of the San Bernardino National Forest, have had quite the run. After some uninvited ravens destroyed two eggs back in January (the nerve!), they laid two more. Those are Sandy and Luna, who hatched in early April.
Their nest in Big Bear Valley is, of course, livestreamed for millions of captivated viewers. The names Sandy and Luna were picked by elementary school students from thousands of submissions. Because apparently that's where we are now: letting kids name our national bird's offspring. And we're here for it.
Eagle chicks typically hang out in the nest for 10 to 14 weeks. Sandy and Luna are expected to fledge — take their glorious first flight — sometime between mid-June and mid-July. Before they go all Top Gun, they'll need to dodge hawks, ravens, owls, and, you know, terrible weather. Last year, a snowstorm took one of Jackie and Shadow's three chicks. Because nature is beautiful, but also a bit of a jerk sometimes.
About 70% of eaglets survive the fledging stage. And once they're out, cars become a major threat, as young birds are often found scavenging for roadkill. Which is just a delightful image to end on.
Jackie and Shadow, who first paired up in 2018, have had their ups and downs. Not every egg hatches (only about 50% do), so this pair has already beaten the odds multiple times. And if you're feeling particularly invested in their future (and who isn't?), environmental groups are trying to raise $10 million to protect their foraging area from development. Because even famous eagles need a good real estate agent, apparently. You can find more info at SaveMoonCamp.org.
