08/24/2026
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Jackie, the beloved bald eagle from Big Bear Valley. She was the first documented bald eagle chick to hatch in Big Bear Valley and, for many years, was the only year-round resident eagle in the valley alongside her mate, Shadow. Together they raised 10 offspring and played an important role in helping restore balance to the Big Bear Valley ecosystem. Jackie will forever be remembered and missed.
Beyond her importance to California’s natural environment, Jackie and other birds of prey hold cultural significance for Indigenous peoples throughout California. In our region, the Nisenan collect feathers for religious, cultural, ceremonial, and medicinal purposes, particularly from Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Fortunately, Jackie’s feathers and remains will be made available to Tribal members through the National Eagle Repository, which helps ensure these birds are respectfully transferred to Tribal communities.
Here at the Maidu Museum & Historic Site, we are proud to partner with the Sacramento Audubon Society for an educational birding event, Backyard Birds: A Birding Excursion on Saturday, September 26 from 8 – 10 AM. We believe knowledge is one of the first steps toward building empathy and becoming better environmental stewards. By partnering with organizations dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats, we hope to inspire more people to care about and become invested in the wildlife that surrounds us. For more information and to register for the birding event, please visit our website: roseville.ca.gov/museum
We hope to see you soon as we come together to learn, connect, and bring greater awareness to our local wildlife!
Image Credit: Ojai Raptor Center
