Latest news with #FledgeFest2025
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
First flight! Watch as baby eaglet takes off from Jackie and Shadow's nest
First flight! Watch as baby eaglet takes off from Jackie and Shadow's nest Show Caption Hide Caption Watch Sunny, one of Jackie and Shadow's eaglets, soars from the nest A livestream caught Sunny flying from the nest. Her and her sibling Gizmo hatched back in March. Celebrity bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow experienced a parental milestone after one of their new baby eaglets left the nest and took their first flight Monday, June 2. Sister eaglets Sunny and Gizmo were recently trained for their big send off after hatching in their parents' nest in March in Southern California's Big Bear Valley, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the non-profit organization that runs a 24-hour live feed monitoring the famous family. Soon after 10:45 am local time, Sunny set off to the sky for the first time, kicking off a new era of her life, the organization confirmed on Facebook. Watch the moment Sunny takes flight "She put up her wings to catch the wind and then jumped up and let those beautiful wings carry her. She circled back around toward Shadow and Jackie's favorite roost tree," the Facebook post reads. "And a bit later, our awesome camera operators were able to find Sunny, perching near the top of the roost tree." It's unclear whether Sunny will return to the nest, though Jackie and Shadow's prior eaglets have done so, the group said. The group said it is thrilled for Sunny but sad livestream viewers may not see her as often anymore. What about Gizmo? Sunny's sister Gizmo has not yet left the nest, though her time may be coming. Friends of Big Bear Valley reported that Gizmo was right beside her sister during the flight, adding "she looked completely fascinated and kept her eyes on Sunny flying away from the nest." "Gizmo probably now has a lot to think about," the non-profit wrote. Last month, the organization said the siblings were preparing to soar at 10 weeks old. Jackie and Shadow laid out larger sticks around the nest as as outer guardrails and training aids during their kid's wing developmental process, known as fledge. Who are Sunny and Gizmo? Sunny and Gizmo were two of three hatchlings born to Jackie and Shadow in March 2025. A third eaglet, named Misty in honor of a former volunteer, died after a snowstorm hit the area. But Jackie and Shadow have been able to make sure Sunny and Gizmo are healthy and happy. Last month, Friends of Big Bear Valley launched a contest titled FledgeFest 2025 where fans could predict exactly when Sunny and Gizmo would each fly. USA TODAY has reached out to see if a contest winner has been declared and will receive an honorary certificate.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Fledge watch' underway as Jackie and Shadow's baby eagles prepare to fly for the first time
Sunny and Gizmo, the beloved bald eagle chicks of Big Bear Valley in California, are on the brink of a major milestone: their first flight. Eaglets typically develop flight feathers over a period of 8-12 weeks. By week 10, they usually have enough feathers and are large enough to take their first flight. Eagles typically fledge, meaning they take their first flight and leave the nest, between 10 and 14 weeks of age. They begin preparing for this transition by flapping their wings, hopping onto branches and practicing short flights around the nest. Sunny hatched on March 3 and Gizmo hatched a day later. The third eaglet hatched on March 6 and later died during a snowstorm in the middle of the month. According to Sandy Steers, Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, "Sunny's hard, determined flapping created a little bit of lift-at least for half a second at a time." Gizmo, just four days younger, is not far behind, practicing wing flapping and even attempting to branch onto nearby limbs. Their parents, Jackie and Shadow, have been diligently preparing their babies for the exciting moment, bringing in sticks to reinforce the nest and providing plenty of food to ensure their strength. Observers have noted the siblings' playful interactions and growing independence, such as self-feeding and spending nights alone in the nest. Fans worldwide have been captivated by the live-streamed footage of this eagle family, watching as Sunny and Gizmo grow and develop. The nest, perched 145 feet up a pine tree, offers a panoramic view of Big Bear Lake, providing a stunning backdrop for these young eagles' early life stages. As Fledge Watch continues, viewers eagerly anticipate the moment Sunny and Gizmo will spread their wings and soar into the skies. Their first flights will not only be a testament to their growth but also a celebration of the resilience and dedication of their parents, Jackie and Shadow. The Friends of Big Bear Valley are inviting eagle enthusiasts to participate in a contest to guess the exact date and hour each eaglet will take flight. Winners will receive certificates commemorating their accurate predictions. To join the Fledge Watch and submit your guesses, visit FledgeFest 2025. Only one guess per person is allowed, and entries must be submitted before the May 16 deadline. This is a unique opportunity to be part of Sunny and Gizmo's journey into the sky. Stay tuned to the live cam and keep an eye out for that exhilarating moment when these young eagles spread their wings and soar for the first time!
