INLAND EMPIRE, CA —The new bald eagle seen hanging out with famed Big Bear resident raptor, Shadow, is believed to be KD-1. As the community is coming to terms with the loss of Shadow's mate, Jackie, there is much to discover "if we put on our science colored glasses," says wildlife biologist Jenna Carpenter.
"KD-1 was born of eagle parents Lucy and Ricky, and was banded in 2022, along with its sibling," Carpenter said. The bird is likely female, based on size, feet and other factors, said Carpenter, in a recent video interview. KD-1 was born at the Prado Wetlands five years ago and is banded, making it easily recognizable. That makes the bird of proper egg-laying age, provided she is definitively a female. The actual mating season does not begin until deep in the winter months.
It has only been one week since Big Bear's famous bald eagle mom, Jackie, died following a valiant effort to save her life. Jackie was rescued nearly a month ago after being found grounded and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake's Dana Point Park. Members of the Los Angeles County San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team retrieved the approximately 14-year-old raptor before transferring her to the Ojai facility, where she succumbed to her mysterious illness.
This has left Shadow alone to contemplate his future, or whatever eagles do. Jackie's death also followed the successful fledging of the pair's eaglets, Sandy and Luna. Altogether, 2026 was a season of emotional highs and lows, from the loss of the first clutch of eggs to the death of Friends of Big Bear Valley founder Sandy Steers and the quest to purchase the Moon Camp as a wildlife sanctuary.
If so, having the eagle join Shadow is a welcome sight to many who have been concerned about the truly empty nest in Big Bear.
Nature, it seems, finds a way.
Still, there are many unknowns when it comes to what is next for Shadow, the nest and any future eaglets. If Shadow and KD-1 decide they are compatible, perhaps they will raise eaglets in the Cactus Snag nest in Big Bear next winter.
"If we are right about our educated guess, and KD-1 is female, they are about 5 years old, which is about the time eagles lay their first eggs," she said. "However, it is not mating season. If they decide on that, it's likely they'll be mating much closer to December or January."
KD-1 has been hanging around the Cactus Snag and the nest in Big Bear, seen many times near Shadow, but will the bird decide to stay, and will Shadow let it?
"The first five years of an eagle's life are nomadic, and it's likely the bird has ventured even farther than Big Bear," Carpenter said. "It's possible that KD-1 could stay in Big Bear, but it's possible the raptor could move on."
As the eagle is close to 5 years old, it could remain with Shadow. It's impossible to know what the eagles are thinking, though many have guessed.
According to naturalists at Friends of Big Bear Valley, Shadow returned yesterday, with KD-1 not far behind. Shadow showed KD-1 around the nest, they played with some sticks and he allowed his visitor to preen his feathers a bit.
"It is great to see Shadow up close and doing well. Is this a new bond forming between these two? Only time will tell. We can only observe and see what takes place once the breeding season is upon us, which will not be until later this fall/winter season. In the meantime, we are happy to see Shadow has some company out there in the habitat."
Those who remember know that Jackie was paired with an eagle named Mr. B before Shadow came along. But this is not the "Real Eagle-Lives Of Big Bear," this is nature in action.
"If you encounter KD-1 in the wild, what a gift. We do need to remember that eagles are eagles," Carpenter said. "Put on your science colored glasses and remember that wildlife is wildlife."
Stay tuned and keep an eye on the empty nest. We'll see who fills it.
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