Big Bear Bald Eaglet Update: Gizmo's Gender Revealed

BIG BEAR, CA — The gender of one of the two bald eagle babies born to Big Bear's bonded pair, Jackie and Shadow, has been revealed.

According to Friends of Big Bear Valley naturalists, the eaglet known as Gizmo, named by Big Bear Elementary School students this spring, has recently shown behaviors and size that have all but confirmed its sex.

On Tuesday, the bald eagle clan gathered together in the nest as they ate, practiced stretching their wings, and balanced on sticks.

Gizmo's hatchmate, Sunny, looked into the camera lens, most likely admiring the reflection, they say. Meanwhile, Dad-Shadow stood guard close by on the "porch" of the nest, while Mom-Jackie stretched her wings, Sunny practiced wing movements, andGizmo spent some time admiring her family.

That's right. They said "her."

The nonprofit that monitors the Big Bear bald eagle nest has determined that Gizmo is most likely female.

At just over two months old, the young eagles are getting ready to fly, and their gender behaviors are starting to become apparent, Tuesday's daily update revealed. One of the behaviors that moves the needle toward female has to do with how they gain their food, and the size of their feet.

"Gizmo's size, compared to Shadow, the ankle size and general behavior, we are pretty sure that Gizmo is a girl," they wrote. "Her obsession with food is also a sign."

Lately, Gizmo has been caught on camera swiping Sunny's food and pulling fish away from her sibling.

"When Shadow brought a big fish for them, Gizmo rushed in to grab it and carried it off to claim it with both feet," they wrote. "When no one bothered Gizmo about the fish, Gizmo dragged it to the center of the nest…so, of course, Sunny soon ran over to steal it…and after a short tug-of-fish, did just that…then Gizmo stole it back…and then Sunny did the same thing."

Any gender reveal remains unknown for Sunny, they say.

"With more observation and hopefully some vocalization that can be heard from Cam2, we hope to be more positive about Sunny’s gender in the next few days."

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2 Eagle Chicks Hatch Tuesday: Big Bear Bald Eagles Greet Babies

3 Bald Eagle Babies Hatch To Big Bear's Jackie And Shadow: Photos