Jackie, the bald eagle who won hearts over livestream, has died at age 14

The avian love story that captured the world has come to an end.

Jackie, one half of a bald eagle pair whose lives and parenting woes garnered millions of viewers through a livestream camera in Southern California’s Big Bear Valley, died Monday after weeks of veterinary treatment.

The Ojai Raptor Center, where Jackie was receiving care, announced her death on Instagram. She was 14. 

“Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists,” the centre wrote.

“We know this news will be deeply felt by the many thousands of people around the world who have followed her journey, hoped alongside us, prayed for her, and supported the people caring for her. Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.”

For years, bird enthusiasts have been able to watch Jackie and her partner Shadow raise chicks through a 24/7 livestream camera near their nest, operated by the advocacy group Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). 

But trouble came in July. Jackie hadn’t been seen on the camera in several days when a bald eagle, later confirmed to be Jackie, was spotted on the ground, unable to fly. She was taken to the centre for care, where veterinarians found she was dealing with severe anemia and kidney inflammation. 

WATCH | Jackie and Shadow raise their chicks:

The news of her death has prompted an outpouring of love. 

“I’ll never forget the time spent watching her … protecting her eggs like such a badass. She’s an amazing model of love, loyalty and strength,” wrote one fan, commenting on FOBBV’s Instagram post.

“I can honestly say that watching Jackie (and Shadow) helped to save my life during some dark times,” wrote another. “I am devastated but thankful.”

Jackie’s story

Jackie is believed to be have been the first eaglet hatched in Big Bear Valley in 2012, according to FOBBV, citing forest service historical records.

FOBBV set up its first bald eagle nest camera in 2015, and added a second in 2021. Jackie became known to the public in 2017, when she and her mate at the time, Mr. B, moved into a nest near the first camera. 

In 2018, a challenger for Jackie’s affections showed up: Shadow, who chased off Mr. B and was then accepted by Jackie as her new mate.

After that, they starred in their own bird reality show — shooting into the spotlight in 2023, when the pair’s desperate attempts to continue incubating eggs despite a snowstorm generated widespread interest and sympathy. Onlookers were captivated by the birds’ enduring bond in the face of ups and downs such as battling other eagles, squabbling over differing stick opinions for nest decoration and mourning eggs lost to ravens and bad weather.

Although Jackie won’t be gracing the eagle nest cameras anymore, her fame has had a lasting impact. In July, FOBBV announced that it had successfully raised $10 million US to buy the 63 acres of forest and shoreline where Jackie and Shadow roamed, preventing a planned luxury housing development that would’ve disrupted the environment. More than 25,000 donations were sent by fans from across the world. 

Bald eagles were once seriously endangered in the U.S., but were taken off the endangered list in 2007 due to conservation efforts. 

FOBBV is still providing updates on the other eagles in the region. Sandy and Luna, the final chicks of Jackie and Shadow, were last seen on camera on July 23, and FOBBV says they are believed to have left the valley on their own adventures. 

As for Shadow, even weeks after Jackie was taken for treatment, he was still “loyal to his nest, territory and Jackie,” FOBBV said on July 29.

But this week a new female, known as KD-1, has been spotted around the nest — suggesting there may be hope for love after loss.