Juvenile Eagle KD1 Seen with Shadow at Big Bear Nest After Jackie’s Death
On 14 August, a juvenile bald eagle identified as KD1 and nicknamed Katie was observed spending time with the resident male eagle Shadow at the Big Bear Lake nest in California, marking the first interaction between Shadow and a new companion since his longtime mate Jackie died earlier in the month. Jackie, a bald eagle that had lived at the Big Bear nest for at least 15 years, died on 7 August after weeks of intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center. Friends of Big Bear Valley said Shadow might remain in the area and could eventually find a new mate, though the timing was uncertain.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that Jackie died from multiple health complications and that her remains will be sent to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado. Three days after Jackie’s death, observers noted Shadow with a new eagle identified as KD1, a 4½-year-old bird, confirming the emergence of a potential new pairing.
