Jenny Voisard said Shadow is not showing interest in a young eagle near the Big Bear Valley nest while Jackie The Eagle Recovery continues at the Ojai Raptor Center. Jackie remains in stable but critical condition, and Shadow is still patrolling and defending the territory.
Voisard, the Friends of Big Bear Valley media manager, said the visiting bird is under four years old. She said Shadow has knocked it off the nest and issued warning calls, adding: “Shadow hasn't shown any friendliness towards it.”
Jenny Voisard on Shadow
Voisard said the eagle is probably not old enough to mate or take over a territory yet. She said, “He's knocked it off the nest and issued warning calls. So he likely views the eagle as an intruder.”
The update keeps the focus on the pair’s territory while Jackie works toward full physical recovery. Shadow remains in defense mode, not in a pairing pattern with the young visitor.
Big Bear Valley nest
The visitor has been seen frequenting the nest territory in recent days and is believed to be one of the two young birds involved in the physical altercation on July 18 that left Jackie grounded, severely anemic, and unable to fly.
Voisard said, “So we don't see Shadow moving on. His hormones won't change over until December, January. So there's definitely a lot of time.” She added, “He won't feel like he needs to defend the habitat as much. And so he may be tolerant and will perch with other eagles too.”
Ojai Raptor Center recovery
Jackie remains at the Ojai Raptor Center while treatment continues. The immediate practical takeaway for followers of Big Bear Valley is that the nest territory is still active, and Shadow is treating the young bird as an intruder rather than a replacement mate.
