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

BIG BEAR, CA — A third eaglet has fully hatched, breaking through its shell to join its two siblings, making it a rare year for Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow.

Many years, the famed nest cam eagles, don't see their eggs hatch or eaglets survive. All three eaglets hatching is cause for conservationist celebration, especially if the eaglets survive the coming week's late season snow storm.

On Saturday morning, it's feeding time for the eaglet babies of Big Bear Bald Eagles Jackie and Shadow. While the third eaglet is still fed by its yolk sack, according to naturalists, Jackie fed her two active hatchlings during a break in the mountain storm.

It's cold up there as mother Jackie keeps her two hatchlings warm, but a spokesperson and naturalist for the Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit wrote on a YouTube chat that eagles are built for this weather.

Over 77,000 fans of the famous Big Bear Eagle pair Jackie and Shadow logged in Friday morning to lend support and check on the family during a March snowstorm. All hope to catch sight of the third eaglet, as signs of hatching showed it was on its way.

During a brief re-situating of mom Jackie, the two eaglets could be seen "head bonking" as they dip claws into establishing their "pecking order." Meanwhile, the top of the remaining egg showed definite pecking from the inside.

Jackie fed the two active eaglets pieces of frozen fish provided by dad Shadow, who has left Jackie to mind the nest during the brunt of the winter storm, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley naturalists.

During the feeding, egg #3 had a large hole visible. It takes time for eaglets to peck through their shells.

FOBBV, a non-profit educational environmental group dedicated to protecting and preserving Big Bear Valley, is monitoring the hatchlings' progress, and naturalists are answering questions from curious fans worldwide.

On Friday morning, conditions in the area were 24 degrees, with 5 mph winds and snow flurries.

"Jackie protected her chicks and egg all night, keeping them warm," naturalist Kim said over a YouTube chat. During the night, she allowed a few peeks at the "bowl" of the nest to see the baby eaglets warm and active beneath her. "The pip site on the egg is getting larger."

Another naturalist says that Eagles don't have any problems incubating in the snow and are quite good at keeping their babies warm and dry. She is developing a featherless spot on her underbelly to keep her babies even warmer, they said.

"With better weather expected Friday, we may see more of the third eaglet's progress," they said.

With another storm coming next week, many fans watch, and wait, keeping eyes trained on this family of eagles high in the San Bernardino mountains.

Donate to the cause of keeping the FOBBV webcams and conversation going at friendsofbigbearvalley.org