An eaglet named Sunny has officially fledged from her nest on June 2 at 10:46 a.m. PDT. Sunny, along with her younger sister Gizmo and their parents Jackie and Shadow, has been residing in the nest since hatching in March. Gizmo is expected to follow suit shortly.
Young eagles like Sunny and Gizmo typically fledge when they are around 10 to 14 weeks old, with the ability to flatten their wings and possess feathers capable of flight. Over the past few weeks, the eaglets have been showing signs of independence, such as feeding themselves and spending their first night alone on the nest in early May. They have also been strengthening their wings by vigorous flapping in preparation for flight.
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the organization monitoring the webcams 24/7, Sunny and Gizmo are likely both females. The eaglets have been gaining strength and confidence daily, showcasing a range of behaviors from playful and loving to fierce and aggressive.
The global audience following their journey via livecam has witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions. After three eggs failed to hatch in 2024, three eggs appeared in the nest earlier this year, resulting in the successful hatching of Sunny and Gizmo. Unfortunately, one of the chicks did not survive the harsh weather conditions, leading to its passing and subsequent naming as Misty in honor of a dedicated volunteer.
In early April, students from a local school voted on the names Sunny and Gizmo for the eaglets. The siblings are now estimated to be about 3 feet tall, closer to their father Shadow’s height, while their mother Jackie is larger. Sunny and Gizmo will not be tagged for tracking purposes, making it challenging to monitor their post-fledging journey.
For the next few months, the eaglets will stay near Big Bear Lake to learn essential survival skills like fishing and hunting with their parents’ guidance. The US Fish & Wildlife Service reports that 70 percent of fledged eaglets survive their first year, with threats ranging from disease and food scarcity to weather conditions and human interference.
The journey of Sunny and Gizmo continues to captivate audiences worldwide, highlighting the resilience and beauty of these magnificent birds of prey. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being made every day. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This cutting-edge technology is changing the way we live and work, with its ability to perform tasks that were once thought to be the exclusive domain of humans.
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