Big Bear Bald Eagles Leave The Nest: Sunny And Gizmo Fly Away, What Comes Next?

BIG BEAR, CA — It's official. Sunny and Gizmo, a pair of Big Bear Bald Eagles, who hatched this spring in a nest overlooking Big Bear Lake, have fledged. The nest built by bonded Bald Eagles, Jackie and Shadow, is frequently empty.

Now what?

Since the bonded pair laid their trio of eggs in early 2025, Friends of Big Bear Valley wildlife naturalists have answered daily online questions about the growing eagle family, which is visible at all times of day.

It's been a season of emotional highs and lows for fans of the nonprofit tasked with educating the public on this national treasure tucked safely in the San Bernardino Mountains. For months, fans have watched the nest overlooking the southern California valley and lake below. First, to spy for signs of hatching (pip-watch). Then, watching and waiting to find hatchlings snuggle under Jackie's warmth. Two of the eaglets survived the snowstorms, and all who watched remember that the third, Misty, did not survive the blizzard. Then, it became clear that both Sunny and Gizmo had female traits and were sisters.

Sunny fledged on June 2, at 90 days old. Over the weekend, Gizmo gave everyone a bit of a jolt when her fledge looked more like a fall on Saturday, at 91 days old.

Later, she did fly back to the nest and was followed by her sister, Sunny. There, the pair spent the night alone. Their parents are always close by, still bringing fish and food. The juveniles will soon learn to hunt and fend for themselves, the group says, but this may take a few weeks to master.

"Gizmo and Sunny are currently flying much slower compared to Jackie and Shadow. This is because their flight feathers are still developing," a spokesperson said of their progress. "There is still blood in their feather shafts, making them a bit heavier and impairing flight. In a few weeks, the blood will recede and the feathers will become 'hard penned,' providing a better lift and maneuverability."

We should be able to catch glimpses of them in the area for the next several weeks, according to FOBBV. When they are ready, the juvenile eagles typically leave the area between three and 12 weeks after fledging and remain "nomadic" until they reach full maturity. "SoCal fledglings are seen as far north as British Columbia and as far east as Yellowstone, experts say.

Both Sunny and Gizmo will maintain their current coloring, not reaching the full bright yellows of their beaks and claws, or the plumage of a white head and tail, like their parents, until they reach full maturity, signifying their readiness to breed. "That coloring is obtained gradually, over four to five years," a FOBBV spokesperson said.

For their safety, please do not enter or approach the habitat. The U.S. Forest Service and the California Fish and Wildlife agencies are closely monitoring the area.

To keep the eagles and their habitat protected and to minimize disturbance, FOBBV uses tree names to avoid disclosing specific information about their exact locations, such as cardinal directions, distances, and landmarks. While locations may be known to some, we kindly request that they not be shared. "Oversharing on the internet has sadly had tragic outcomes at other nests."

Meanwhile, the nonprofit that maintains the web cameras and educates the public has shared that their 2025 Outdoor Adventure Days will take place from June 21-22. Volunteers are sought for that event.

"FOBBV wants locals and visitors to be able to experience and appreciate Big Bear Valley’s great outdoors. Activities will again feature the popular birding boat and walking tours, wildflower hikes, arts and crafts for kids, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, biking, rides on the Big Bear Queen Paddle wheel boat, distant nest viewing and learning about and from our eco-friendly businesses and agencies. There is also an annual Jackie and Shadow Eagle Fan party with eagle talks and Native American dancing. "

All tickets for the outdoor activities are given on a first-come, first-served basis in person (there is no online registration). Registration opens at 8 a.m. both days. The majority of the booths will be on
Saturday. For more information, please visit www.friendsodigbearvalley.org.

Related:

California Bald Eagles Waiting For Egg Hatch: 25K+ Watching Livestream

Big Bear Eaglet Names Chosen From 54,000 Entries

Learning To Fly: Watch Big Bear Eaglets Test Their Wings