Famous bald eagle lovebirds welcome first egg of the year — setting off wild journey to keep it alive

This is pretty eggciting news.

California’s most famous feathered couple welcomed their first egg of the new year — beginning an arduous journey to ensure it becomes a hatchling.

Bald Eagle beaus Jackie and Shadow’s little bundle of joy made its thrilling appearance on the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s livecam just before 5 a.m. Friday.

Mama Jackie was in labor for just 10 minutes before laying the egg in the San Bernardino Mountains lovenest she has shared with Shadow for years.

“As he stood in front of her beak-to-beak with a twinkle in his eye, he carefully looked at the egg, then looked again, just to make sure it was really there!” the Friends of Big Bear Valley reported.

“As he turned to fly off to roost on his own for the night, Shadow softly brushed the top of Jackie’s white head feathers with his beak. So sweet!”

Jackie is already territorial over her new baby and is displaying “wingslaps” — a defensive behavior that keeps all intruders from coming too close to the nest.

She and her baby daddy have also implemented shifts for sitting on their new egg.

It’s possible that more eggs could soon fill the nest. Bald eagles tend to lay multiple eggs for higher chances of survival, and Jackie has historically laid hers every three days.

It will be another 35 days before the new babies can see daylight.

The great news is marred, however, by the harsh reality that the new baby has just a 50% chance of breaking out of its shell. It’s a tragedy Jackie and Shadow know all too well.

A severe winter storm killed the chances of the eggs hatching in 2024, just one year after ravens gobbled up their yet-to-be hatched young.

Just last year, the parents lost one of their hatchlings due to heavy snowfall.

But the lovebirds have had plenty of success as well. Despite the loss of their sibling, Sunny and Gizmo spread their wings from their parents’ nest last summer and began lives of their own as millions who were following along on the livestream celebrated.

For now, Jackie and Shadow are cozying up together and preparing their home for the little ones.

“Shadow brought a fish this morning which Jackie happily claimed and ate after getting her talons loose from the front porch sticks. Soon after, Jackie delivered some fluff and while both used their beaks to spread it, Shadow also used his feet to stomp on it to make sure it would stay put,” the Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote.

“All is well… stay tuned for more egg-citement to come!”

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