Who was Jackie the bald eagle and why are millions mourning the Big Bear star?

Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle watched by millions through a live nest camera, has died after weeks of intensive care. The 14-year-old eagle became an online wildlife icon with her mate Shadow and inspired a major habitat conservation campaign.

Jackie, the famous bald eagle from California’s Big Bear Lake, died on Monday after spending several weeks under intensive veterinary care. She was around 14 years old and had become one of the most watched wild birds on the internet through the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam.

For millions of viewers, Jackie was more than a bird appearing on a wildlife camera. People watched her find a mate, protect eggs, raise chicks, face storms and survive the harsh conditions around Big Bear Lake. Her death has now triggered an outpouring of grief from followers who had watched those moments unfold live over several years.

With sadness, Jackie passed away this morning. 😢See Ojai Raptor Center’s announcement today 8/10: “Patient Update: Bald Eagle 26-519 It is with profound sadness that we share that Patient 26-519 passed away in the early hours of this morning, following more than three weeks of… pic.twitter.com/lEoUmThnVD — Eagle Nest Live (@EagleNestLive) August 10, 2026

Who was Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle?

I don’t know exactly what it was about this eagle mama, Jackie. 🦅💔 Maybe because I started watching her during the pandemic, when we were all looking for small windows into the world outside. My kids used to tease me for leaving the Nest cam on 24/7, hearing her........

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