Watch Big Bear Eaglet Sunny’s First Flight in Stunning Video

Big Bear Lake, Calif. — At precisely 10:46 a.m. PT on Monday, Sunny, the elder of Jackie and Shadow’s two famed bald-eagle chicks, unfurled her slate-brown wings, leaned into a light mountain breeze and launched herself off the Big Bear nest’s upper Y-branch—marking her very first flight after 12 weeks of nest-life in a Jeffrey pine 145 feet above the ground. The milestone moment, captured live on the 24/7 Friends of Big Bear Valley nest cam, sent thousands of virtual eagle-watchers into celebration across social media feeds and chat rooms worldwide. Viewers observed Sunny circle the nearby roost tree—a favorite perch of her parents—before settling on an upper limb to rest and preen. Sibling Gizmo stays grounded—for now Gizmo, Sunny’s slightly younger but noticeably larger sister, tracked every wingbeat from the nest, practicing vigorous flaps that hinted her own “fledge day” is imminent. Bald eaglets typically fledge between 10 and 14 weeks, yet often remain around the natal territory for one to two months, honing hunting skills while parents continue food deliveries. Wildlife experts with Friends of Big Bear Valley note that past chicks from Jackie and Shadow routinely revisit the nest for refueling stops during this transition period. Why Sunny’s flight matters • Conservation success: Bald-eagle numbers crashed in the mid-20th century but rebounded after federal protections; every healthy fledgling underscores that comeback. • Outdoor education: The Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam streams nature lessons in real time to classrooms worldwide, inspiring the next generation of wildlife stewards. • Ecotourism boost: Big Bear Lake businesses report spikes in winter and spring visitors hoping to glimpse the raptors, a trend likely to surge again as Sunny takes to the sky. What’s next for the Big Bear family Over coming weeks, look for: 1. Touch-and-go landings on branches near the nest as Sunny perfects aerial control. 2. Parental food drops away from the nest, encouraging the eaglet to track prey deliveries and exercise her wings. 3. Gizmo’s own breakout flight, which could occur any day after watching her sister succeed. How to keep watching The high-definition Bald Eagle Cam operates year-round, offering multiple camera angles, infrared night vision and moderated chat for real-time Q&A with seasoned volunteers. Viewers can also follow daily Eagle Logs posted by Friends of Big Bear Valley for timestamps of feeding, wing exercises and future flight attempts. For now, the mountains echo with celebration as Sunny’s first flight adds another triumphant chapter to the ongoing story of Southern California’s best-known bald-eagle pair. Stay tuned—Gizmo’s wings are warming up next.