New female eagle likely to pair with Shadow at Big Bear nest, biologist says
A 4½-year-old female bald eagle, identified as KD1, has joined Shadow at his Big Bear nest, and experts say they may breed by December.
Following the loss of his partner Jackie, bald eagle Shadow has been seen with a new companion, a 4½-year-old eagle labeled KD1 or Kaydee, at his Big Bear nest. Biologist Pete Bloom, who placed a leg band on the newcomer in April 2022, identified her as female because she is larger than Shadow and engages in nest-building activities. The pair have been captured on a well-known livestream, prompting both excitement and ambivalence among fans.
Bloom predicts a high likelihood that the two will form a breeding pair when nesting season begins in roughly December. The newcomer originated from the Prado Basin, about 70 miles southwest of the nest, and was banded by Bloom’s nonprofit under contract with the Orange County Water District.
Why it matters
The potential new breeding pair could sustain the local bald-eagle population and keep a popular wildlife livestream active.
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