Spirit's Visit? Brave Jackie & Shadow vs Snowstorm 🦅🦅, Shadow & Stick Antics 🥢🦅 March 15-17 ❤️

Video footage courtesy of @FOBBVCAM
Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow 🦅🦅❤️In this video, you'll see brave Jackie enduring 3 days of snowstorms on the nest, lovely chortles, ideally synchronised switcheroos, Shadow's antics with sticks 🥢🦅. Moreover, you'll see this time Shadow bringing a Christmas tree for Jackie! 🎄🦅🦅
You'll also see Shadow's close-up. It's worth watching until the end as you'll see an unsual visit of a sub-adult eagle (probably from the 2022 brood) and it could be Spirit. The eagle is tolerated by Jackie and sits even under the nest!
Enjoy! ❤️
Dates: 15th, 16th & 17th March 2024
Place: Big Bear Valley, the USA
Link to FOBBV website, www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/,
Live Cams, / @fobbvcam
Live Cam1, • Big Bear Bald Eagle Li...
Live Cam2, • Big Bear Bald Eagle Wi...
Remember to subscribe to my channel @BirdlifeOdyssey in order to stay updated and not to miss any episodes.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible experience, and I can't wait to see you in the comments section!
The video was made by @BirdlifeOdyssey
All rights reserved
The video footage comes from the Live Cam / @fobbvcam
and all the rights to this footage and the credit goes to @FOBBVCAM
Friends of Big Bear Valley - the owners of the live cam
#birds, #eagles, #baldEagles, #Jackie, #Shadow, #BigBearValley, #Spirit, #EagleLove, #Funnyvideo, #Funnybirds, #Sticks, #Fluff, #FunnyAntics, #FunnyAnimals,

[@michaelacousino2410]

I think these guys have a better marriage than most people

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@michaelacousino2410 ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mf9661]

Haha😂 So true

[@joycekaminski1943]

Poor Jackie, waiting out the snow storm. My heart breaks for them, they are such wonderful parents. Some human parents should take note of their dedication.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@joycekaminski1943 Indeed. ❤️❤️❤️

[@cathie9614]

Definitely is Daddy's girl Spirit. She made a visit last year about the same time. I guess she's letting them know they still have her around if the eggs don't hatch. She's a special Eagle and will always have a place in my heart. 💖

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@cathie9614 I couldn't agree more! ❤❤ Thank you very much for such a great comment! 🥰😍

[@trishabaran1521]

It’s almost like Spirit knows 🦅 Like , mom & Dad I’m still here . I’m still your baby girl 💕 Wow ! It breaks your heart 💔 That mom is still sitting on eggs and baby girl know too!

[@fungrammacat]

She has good parents❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@trishabaran1521 You are right! ❤️❤️🥰

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@fungrammacat Indeed. ❤️❤️❤️😍🥰

[@colleendaley4980]

If Shadow and Jackie haven’t given up on the 🥚 then I don’t think I will either. They are still turning them and cleaning house,and I love the❤communication between them.

[@robertapsalm91]

Me either.. 💗

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@colleendaley4980 Thank you for your great comment! ❤️❤️❤️🥰

[@lindaburton8622]

They are amazing people could learn from them

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@lindaburton8622 Exactly! ❤️❤️❤️😍🥰

[@tracypleiss8271]

Good attitude, I'm not giving up either then! Go Jackie and Shadow❤

[@JenZen4life1111]

I love Jackie and Shadow ❤️ The human emotional me is thinking Spirit came back to say Look mom I’m ok and I’m flourishing!!! I’ll always love these eagles. 🦅 🦅🦅❤️❤️❤️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@JenZen4life1111 I love them, too. Thank you for your nice comment! ❤️❤️

[@susanmorris5520]

I absolutely agree too.👍🏻🦅🦅🦅❤️

[@susanmorris5520]

What an awesome compilation of days with this awesome and loving Eagle pair Jackie and Shadow who most definitely love each other so much. However, Miss Jackie is definitely the boss of the nest and what she says goes.🥰🦅🦅❤️. I also love how tender and loving Jackie is with Shadow cause I feel she understands that her love Shadow loves incubating their Effie’s even though I’m sure they both know and understand thet their eggs aren’t gonna hatch this season which is so heartbreaking for them too and I’m definite that they feel it too.😢. It was so wonderful that Spirit (yes, I believe it was her) came to visit mom below the nest to not upset mom even though she wanted to let mom know she is there and always watching over her parents and love them too. I’m so happy that Jackie didn’t get upset but she was wondering where the Subadult was cause I’m sure she could feel her presence.❤️🦅🦅. I truly love this pair and they have truly touched my heart in so many ways and especially with their intelligence and abilities to survive through a snowstorm and unfortunately there has been so many of them this year alone and I know it was weather that caused the eggs to be unviable and no one can tell me any different. I do pray this couple can have more eggs even if it’s not until next season. I also hope that Spirit still comes around to see her parents too cause I feel they need to see their daughter and know too that she now still around and also loves her parents too. God bless this couple whom I love dearly and I pray they will be able to go eventually move on and be happy and know they can and will be able to go have more eggies too. It’s not their fault this happened. Hugs love and many blessings for happiness for them too. Sue M. Clearwater, Florida 🦅🦅🦅🥚🤞🏼🙏❤️👏🏻👏🏻🥰❌⭕️❌⭕️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@susanmorris5520 Beautifully written! Thank you very much for such a great comment! ❤️❤️🥰😍

[@judithc6577]

Every time I watch them, it brings tears to my eyes. Their bond in unbreakable 😢

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@judithc6577 I agree. Their bond is really special! ❤️❤️

[@janeg8274]

I just found this today and then I heard about the eggs but I am Going to just keep praying for a miracle!! They are SO VERY SPECIAL and the WORLD NEEDS Special Right Now!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@janeg8274 I totally agree with you! Thank you very much for such a positive comment! ❤️❤️❤️😍🥰

[@susanmorris5520]

I absolutely agree cause miracle really do happen everyday and one just never knows when it will happen too.🙏🦅🦅🥚🥚🥚❤️

[@blbrashear]

I love it here with Jackie and Shadow. I’m new here and a bit emotional over their babies not hatching. I believe in miracles!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@blbrashear Welcome! I'm glad that you like Jackie and Shadow. Thank you very much for your nice comment! ❤️❤️❤️😍🥰

[@user-vn5fm8yy6f]

They show such LOVE and DEVOTION ❤️❤️🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🕊️✨🕊️✨🕊️✨

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@user-vn5fm8yy6f Indeed. ❤️❤️🦅🦅🥰😍

[@edwardizhonig204]

Ok - I just laughed out loud at “ Shadow found something interesting to do” I always laugh at how he’s so ADHD - like me! lol!! He can’t just sit still - it’s adorable!!! I’m old and still look for “ sticks” or something to place or misplace!! 🤣! I also love their communication and deep bond! Priceless. Thank you for this video! ❤️❤️🦅🦅🥰

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@edwardizhonig204 Thank you so much! 😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I'm glad that you like this video! 🥰

[@jackiekirkpatrick6186]

Funny, I call him OCD cause he cannot NOT rearrange the sticks in the nest. I have a feeling both J&S are both having a hard time with not having a hatch & both are dealing with it in their own ways. Shadow fidgets with his sticks & Jackie is leaving the nest more & more.

[@BoSSLadyGuCCi]

The beginning of video… snowstorm, Jackie and her unfailing love for her babies. 😭 ❄️ 🦅 ❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@BoSSLadyGuCCi Yes, Jackie under the snow again. Jackie and Shadow have to endure a lot this year. ❤️❤️

[@peekaboo7424]

I’m guessing that Jackie & Shadow do recognize & remember Spirit because they didn’t chase her away. 🦋

[@mygirldarby]

Jackie did chase her away after a little while. Did you notice how Shadow sat beside a raven in this video? Ravens are the enemies of eagles, but there won't be an aggressive reaction every time they see each other. It's the same with eagles. Just seeing another eagle won't always elicit aggressive behavior from another eagle. Eagles don't, however, have any kind of relationship with their offspring after they've left the nest. They are considered competition after that, and probably don't recognize that it is their offspring.

[@pattyschoenborn3061]

Shadow is the best nest builder! My heart breaks 💔 for these two beautiful Eagles

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@pattyschoenborn3061 Yes, he is. You are right. They are both amazing! ❤️❤️

[@nachotreyes6099]

My beautiful JACKIE 👒💅👡👜👜 and Shadow 👟🧢🙏🦅🦅🦅🦅 LONG LIFEEEEE 👑👑👑👑👑TO OUR KING'S OF THE SKY🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅 MILLIONS OF LIKES 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯😍😍😍😍💋💋

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@nachotreyes6099 Thanks a lot for such a positive comment! ❤️❤️❤️😍

[@user-ix5pl4et9q]

Theyare so beautiful , GOD bless theme always be. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

❤️❤️🦅🦅

[@user-sx2ef8eo3r]

Great video. Jackie and Shadow are so sweet together. Really wish there was some type of miracle that their eggs would hatch. Poor Jackie and Shadow have endured so much. 💔🙏🦅❄️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@user-sx2ef8eo3r I could not agree more! You are totally right! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you very much for such a great comment! ❤️😍🥰

[@melissawarfield]

I adore 🥰🥰 Jackie and Shadow. Their chortles are so adorable and special. Great Eagle 🦅🦅 parents they are.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@melissawarfield Yes, they are both great and very special! ❤️🥰😍

[@MegaCeledonia]

Definitely Spirit Jackie becomes quite she knows that is her offspring

[@trishabaran1521]

So sweet isn’t it ! I’m glad spirit is coming around, it’s like she’s giving mom support 💕🦅💕

[@sandyg3639]

Jackie and Shadow are so precious. The way they communicate with each other and the perfect switcharoos is amazing. I just love them. I do hope that the young subadult is Spirit. ❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@sandyg3639 I totally agree. They are precious and I love the way they communicate with each other, too. We will never be sure if this sub-adult eagle is Spirit as she is unbanded. We can only presume, judging by the appearance, that this eagle is from 2022 clutch.

[@susanmorris5520]

I will be with everyone in believing it’s Spirit cause she knew mom needed to feel her presence in knowing everything will all be fine.🦅🦅🥰❤️

[@sharonmarkel8027]

I just love these two. They’ve done everything possible to help those eggs hatch. So sad, but I really love watching their interaction with each other and their talking back and forth. ❤️❤️❤️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@sharonmarkel8027 I agree. Thank you very much for such a nice comment! ❤️🥰

[@shamsies-yl9wr]

I’m so heartbroken for these great parents love them so much. Mother Nature this year was not merciful to our Jackie and Shadow 😢😢

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@shamsies-yl9wr You are right. ❤️❤️❤️

[@marycornell6215]

It’s so SAD seeing them take such great care of the eggs and no babies 😭

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@marycornell6215 Indeed. ❤️❤️

[@lonepilgrim4854]

LOVE the caption commentary.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@lonepilgrim4854 Thanks a lot for your nice comment. I'm glad that you like the commentary. ❤️😍🥰

[@kimingram7649]

I believe in my heart it was Spirit doing a fly by checking in on her parents!😊

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

❤️❤️🦅🦅

[@DisneyUpBoilerUp]

Shadow is the best dad ever!!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@DisneyUpBoilerUp Yes, he is. Thanks a lot for your nice comment! 🥰🦅

[@sakhalinec777]

Как бы то ни было они не отступают я восхищаюсь этой парой ❤❤❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

❤️❤️❤️

[@msorganicluva]

Try again my beauties.... love the feed

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

❤❤❤❤🥰🥰

[@galedelgiorno7420]

Love this. Thank you

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@galedelgiorno7420 I'm glad that you like this video. Thanks a lot for your nice comment! ❤️❤️

[@conniebotke7882]

Putting light, love, and only positive intentions out to the universe that they may have one eggs survive❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

Thank you for your positive comment! ❤️❤️😍🥰

[@user-tq4ue9fg1r]

This eagle pair amazes me! Their dedication to those eggs is something to behold. I pray all their hard work pays off

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@user-tq4ue9fg1r You are right! They are truly amazing! ❤️❤️

[@sedonarose1]

I love the narrative. It is so fitting!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@sedonarose1 Thanks a lot for your kind words. I'm glad that you like the narrative! 😍😍❤❤🥰🥰

[@nomado3650]

Jackie’s face when she’s looking out for Spirit! Priceless!

[@TinyCat-on4iv]

I will always love these baby eagles later on. 🦅 ❤

[@stacygarcia1098]

They are amazing I fill thankful to be able to watch them 😊

[@SanFranciscan1]

Love all of the captions! Thank you!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@SanFranciscan1 Thank you very much! I'm glad that you like the captions. ❤️😍🥰

[@nettajar1938]

Thanks for showing some of the highlights of the past week. J&S are one special couple. ~ Several times there, I couldn't believe how much snow was on Jackie and why she didn't have her beak between her wings. ~ Jackie really knows how to get Shadow to move. If he doesn't move, she just moves in till he does move. ~ Gotta 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 'em

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@nettajar1938 Indeed. Thanks a lot for your great comment! ❤️❤️🥰😍🦅🦅

[@Ronny68100]

*Just Magnificent!...❤👏 and very interesting!...❤► Thank you for the Work you do and the Sharing!...🙏👏* *I've been following Jackie and Shadow for 4 years 🦅 from France 🥰* *For me, most Animals have Beauty without Vanity, Strength without insolence,* *Courage without Ferocity and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices…* *I have always had a preference for the Eagles 🦅, it must be said that "Big Bear Valley" is a real corner of Paradise for them...💕✋* *Respect to you and the whole team and all the best for the future!... 👌* PS: Sorry for the Translation, I use a Translator... 【｡◕‿◕｡】 Friendships “ℜonny” /Woman/62 years old/France 🙋

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@Ronny68100 Merci beaucoup pour ce beau commentaire ! Tous mes meilleurs vœux à vous ! ❤️❤️❤️🦅🦅🥰😍

[@Ronny68100]

@@BirdlifeOdyssey Avec plaisir !...🌹

[@elainemcglone672]

Amazing, thank you for sharing love J&S 💞♥🥰

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@elainemcglone672 Thanks a lot for your nice comment!❤️❤️🥰😍

[@Sean_1970]

Incredible! That snow ❄️ The Devotion & i now know Spirit is a girl! She be like her mammy who is just a Incredible bird as Shadow 💚🦅🦅⭐️👌

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@Sean_1970 Well said! Thanks a lot for such a great comment! ❤️❤️❤️😍🥰

[@Sean_1970]

@@BirdlifeOdyssey 🍀🙏

[@loriduppong2112]

I watched video of her last night. She has same type of feathers on underneath part of her wings. I do think it Spirit too! Maybe she is saying "Don't give up trying,next year will be your year,mommy and daddy!"

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@loriduppong2112 ❤️😍🥰

[@suemcgrady1577]

They need to make this nest with two beds lol

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@suemcgrady1577 🤣🥰😍🦅🦅❤️

[@galedelgiorno7420]

Wide enough so they both can lay down together

[@melodykluck2347]

I am touched by this eagle love story

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@melodykluck2347 ❤️❤️🦅🦅

[@xlaranja]

15:45 I wonder what the cheeky raven shadow has to say :D

[@leezirkle7840]

I watched all day today. I thought for sure Jackie was going to sit on Shadow😂😂. Love, love, love them!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@leezirkle7840 It sure looked like it. 🤣❤️ Thanks for your great comment! 🥰

[@user-vn5fm8yy6f]

PLEASE GOD THEY HAVE HAD A ROUGH YEAR PLEASE A EXTRA LOVE.❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅❤️❤️🕊️✨🕊️✨🕊️✨🕊️✨🕊️✨🕊️✨

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@user-vn5fm8yy6f ❤️❤️

[@koalasez1200]

❤❤. Amazing and inspiring dedication. Learning so much, and it’s just a tiny fraction of what they do.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@koalasez1200 Yes, it is. You are totally right. ❤️❤️😍

[@RavenSpirit917]

❤❤❤most popular eagles how could you not love these two!!🥰

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

I totally agree! 😍❤️

[@user-nv2zu2yl2o]

Hoping for a miracle.

[@oceanadrianne]

I just love these conversations 🥰

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@oceanadrianne Me too! Thanks a lot for your nice comment! ❤️😍

[@mollyk2883]

Oh my heartbreaking oh god 😭😭😭😭😭 still snowing ~ why 😤😤😤😤😤 oh god 😭 sweet s/ j ~ plssss give up plsss….😭😭

[@sandyfields678]

Such b3auty in winter

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@sandyfields678 ❤️❤️😍

[@graedot]

Does anyone else give rheir screen a little kiss for Jackie and Shawdow just out of sheer appreciation and love for nature? No?? Yeah, me neither. I was just kidding. Really, who would do a wacky thing like that? 😏🥴🤗

[@Tracymurray-rk5rw]

Only a few times a day! 😂😂😂😂❤

[@lesleywood76]

Hi Spirit ❤ poor birds snow, snow ❄️ yuk. Come on spring it's the end of march ❤❤❤

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@lesleywood76 You are right. Spring should come at last. ❤️

[@debinthewheelchair7781]

What Mama wants, Mama gets...

[@susanlucia37]

Oh my goodness, all that snow 😢

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@susanlucia37 Yes, the snow again.

[@nomado3650]

The sub-adult eagle has no white feathers on her head!

[@jackieclarke4994]

Does Jackie have a chance to lay another clutch?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@jackieclarke4994 Eagles usually have one clutch per year. If Jackie lost eggs early, she could have another clutch. However, if she still incubates the eggs, it will be too late. She is only fertile from January to March.

[@frances4797]

​@@BirdlifeOdyssey😢

[@Suzanne1999]

😢😢😢

[@Crazycatlady688]

I cry every time I see them knowing that their eggs will not hatch 😢😢😢

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

It is sad but we can look at the bright side of things that they have each other and will move on. Let's hope they will succeed next year.

[@allisonponzo5963]

I’m catching up, been busy. Great video and never lacks humor! I read the other comments about how Spirit could be their offspring. I was wondering if they come back to visit, wierd how Jackie doesn’t know for sure but maybe senses something. Don’t you know your own child?🤣

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@allisonponzo5963 Thank you very much for your kind words and such a great comment! ❤️❤️❤️😍

[@mygirldarby]

Eagles likely don't remember their offspring. They have no relationship with them after they leave the nest and they treat each other as competition should they encounter each other again. There is no reason why they would recognize offspring or parents. Eagles don't have a family structure like that. They stay with their life partner, but they do not have any other long-term family relationships. Observational studies show that Eagles treat offspring, siblings, and parents as strangers if they meet them again after being separated. So if they do recognize each other, they give no indication of it. And jackie chased off this sub-adult after a little while. That doesn't mean it isn't Spirit. Jackie and Shadow would chase away any sub-adult eagle who came in their territory.

[@ennydenis1198]

Spirit I miss you🦅❤️🙏

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@ennydenis1198 ❤️❤️🥰

[@MoeRussell-ss5gs]

Fantastic video. Jackie and Shadow are so much in sync with each other. Although Jackies the boss she never nasty with it and treats shadow with such respect. Have FOBBV confirmed off its Spirit visiting or is it presumed she hung around the area.

[@mygirldarby]

Spirit isn't tagged so there's no way to know who the sub-adult is.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@MoeRussell-ss5gs There is no way of knowing because Spirit is unbanded. The only thing that can be analysed is the sub-adult eagle's appearance. This eagle looks like an eagle from 2022 clutch.

[@thecanyon4me]

Does anyone know if they use the nest all year long, or only when breeding?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@thecanyon4me The live camera is all year round. When eagles stop incubating eggs, they can be seen in the area e.g. they can sit in their favorite trees near the nest. It will be possible to watch them in the trees near the nest thanks to CAM 2.

[@barbarateeter1010]

How long will they stay on this hopeless nest🥰🥰🥰🥰⁉️⁉️🥹🥴🥴🥴🥴💞

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@barbarateeter1010 It can last a few more days. It will be a gradual process.

[@user-yn1bq1ti6o]

Да такие мучения и все напрасно

[@shermarie2876]

They are BOTH enduring the snow storm. Give Shafow his credit, why don’t you?!

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@shermarie2876 I totally agree with you. They are BOTH amazing and they BOTH endure the snow. The title is too short to include everything. In this video I showed Jackie at night under the snow and this part of title refers to these hard snowy nights. In this video, Shadow also incubates the eggs in the snowy conditions and he is of course the best but he is not under the snow. I wanted to show his love for sticks in this video but of course you are totally right that he endures the harsh conditions too and he is the BEST mate! I love them BOTH! 🥰❤️❤️ Thanks a lot for your comment!

[@kittygrlkay]

isnt there a way to tag the birds to know definitly if its their baby or not

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@kittygrlkay Yes, there is. Birds can be banded but it is not a common practice in this case.

[@galedelgiorno7420]

Does anyone know what the flash was while watching Spirit?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@galedelgiorno7420 It became too dark for the camera and it switched to the IR mode.

[@mf9661]

I was reading somewhere that Jackie and Shadow’s offspring before Spirit were banded. Stormy and Simba. And sadly they are deceased after only a year or so out on their own. Anyone know what happened to them? I read that they won’t disclose which is kind of upsetting and makes me think a human was involved. And does anyone know why some get banded and others (like Spirit) don’t?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@mf9661 I do not know why Spirit was not banded.

[@craigandpolly6060]

Is it possible they will still hatch?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@craigandpolly6060 Sadly, the eggs are past the hatching date.

[@bunnysb2587]

Oh no why are they still sitting on the eggs I thought maybe this would have stop sitting on the nest

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@@bunnysb2587 Eagles tend to overincubate their eggs. They will stop incubating but it will be a gradual process.

[@bunnysb2587]

@@BirdlifeOdyssey ok thanks for sharing this information

[@jzigounakis]

When are the eggs due to hatch?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

Sadly, the eggs are past their hatching date.

[@misha7826]

Well hurry up dad it's cold

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@misha7826 ❤️❤️

[@timstockton4499]

How do you tell which is which? I see no one has asked this? HELP THIS NEWBIE

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@timstockton4499 Jackie is larger than Shadow. Jackie’s beak is both longer and thicker from top to bottom than Shadow’s. Jackie has a flatter top of her head.

[@user-gy8co5qy2z]

Oh my goodness, when is this going to stop? I feel so terrible. Will they eventually leave the nest or kick out the eggs?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@user-gy8co5qy2z The eagles tend to overincubate eggs. They will eventually leave the eggs. It will last a few more days. It'll be a gradual process.

[@mygirldarby]

It is better for them to over-incubate than to under-incubate, don't you agree? Nature makes sure the eggs are way past the point of being viable before the eagle's instinct to leave the eggs kicks in. They will slowly start leaving the eggs unattended for longer and longer periods.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@@mygirldarby Exactly! 😍🥰

[@Saintsbabe41]

Does Spirit ever comes near the eggs if one or both are there ?

[@mygirldarby]

No. And we don't know whether that's Spirit either. Jackie and Shadow would never let another eagle (or any other animal) get close to their eggs. Eagles likely can't determine whether another eagle is an offspring of theirs after they've left the nest and are on their own. Eagles see other eagles as competition. Jackie chased off this sub-adult eagle, btw. Eagles don't have any relationship with their offspring once they leave the nest. They will fight them over food or other resources just as they would any other eagle. It's sweet that people have created a storyline that the sub-adult who sat near Jackie and shadow's nest is Spirit, and that she is there to comfort them, etc., but it is just a story. It is not how real eagles behave. Spirit would not come back to visit mom and dad. Eagles don't have those kinds of family ties. They have no connection to parents or siblings once they leave the nest. Observational studies show that eagles don't acknowledge offspring, siblings, or parents when they see them again after they've been away from each other. They treat them as stranger eagles. They will fight them and chase them away, just like they would any eagle.

[@Saintsbabe41]

@@mygirldarby Thank you for the explanation. I love watching these beautiful birds. I have an old shirt that this guy painted a Eagles on it.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@mygirldarby I agree. It is like that in the animal world and we have no way of knowing for sure that this young eagle was Spirit. However, it is not a typical behavior that Jackie and Shadow let this sub-adult eagle sit under their nest. They would normally chase it away as soon as possible. They did not do that so it is an interesting observation. Nature is full of surprises and each bird is different. Not all of them follow the rules which we humans think they should. We are here to observe and learn and I am sure that nature has still plenty of surprises for us to discover. A lot of information included in studies about birds has to be changed because of constant observations which surprise us all the time. I study bird behaviors and I can assure you that many of the observed behaviors are different from those described in books and scientific studies. Birds change, adjust and do not behave in the same way even within the same species. Thank you for your detailed explanation! ❤️❤️

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@Saintsbabe41 Eagles would not allow any other eagle come close to their eggs.

[@janicebelleisle4427]

How can they tell it’s their offspring?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@janicebelleisle4427 Spirit is unbanded so we are not sure but eagles can probably sense it somehow. They would normally scare such a sub-adult eagle and would not let it come near their nest. In this case, their behavior is different so they can probably sense that it is their offspring.

[@blbrashear]

Jackie is bigger than Shadow huh?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@blbrashear Yes, she is. ❤️

[@lonepilgrim4854]

Females are the larger of the eagles

[@sheilaparks60]

Why don't they ever lay in the nest together?

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@sheilaparks60 They have a different strategy. One is in the nest and the other one is in a tree nearby to guard the nest. ❤️❤️

[@jimb5796]

I'm surprised that Jackie and Shadow are still incubating the eggs. I thought they would have given up on them by now.

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@jimb5796 It is a gradual process.

[@lindakontol6154]

Thank you for this coverage ! They are an awesome eagle couple for sure!❤️❤️🦅🦅. So good to see Spirit!❤️🦅

[@BirdlifeOdyssey]

@lindakontol6154 Thanks a lot for your nice comment! ❤️❤️🦅🦅