Sibling Time💕Sunny Eaglespreads🦅Gizmo Finds A Chewy Bone... Of Sorts!🍗@FOBBVCAM 2025-04-17

Original live video courtesy of ‪@FOBBVCAM‬ https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/
The opinions presented on this channel do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOBBV.

Sunny is 44 days old, Gizmo is 40 days old.

Stormy Days and Growing Chicks:
Since we are expecting precipitation next week, viewers often express concerns if the chicks will be warm enough to weather the storm. This question is very complex because the answer would depend on several factors.

During inclement weather, Jackie is more likely to be on the nest with her chicks per Jackie’s rules. She will spread her wings like a Mombrella to cover and protect them. The chicks will instinctively burrow their heads under Jackie. Since they are quite large, they will not be able to fit fully under the Mombrella. Their bottoms may be sticking out.

By 2 weeks of age, chicks develop the dark gray thermal down and can tolerate subfreezing temperatures quite well. The thermal down has pretty good insulating qualities, but it does not protect against wet conditions to the same extent as the water repellant body contour feathers. Those dark feathers will develop later, around 8-9 weeks. Right now, both chicks are over 5 weeks old and their contour feathers are only partially developed.

Based on what we have observed on cameras over the years, eaglets can tolerate some wet weather, but the exact limits are unclear. The amount and type of precipitation play a big role. Snow is better than freezing rain because it does not penetrate down as fast as water. Light amounts are tolerated much better than heavy precipitation. Temperature, wind speed, and, most importantly, length of the event are also important factors. Some weather systems only last for a few hours, providing the eagles with the opportunity to dry out quickly; others may last for many hours or even several days, with little to no breaks in the weather.

According to Bensweather, there is a chance of precipitation across the region Thursday - Friday. This will be a cooler system with the snow level as low as 5,000 feet (our nest is much higher at 7,100 feet). Snow accumulations at this time look relatively light, under a few inches.

Generally, short and light showers do not pose a major challenge. If we get snow, chicks will be able to shake it off just like Jackie does.

Hope all this helps and puts your mind a little more at ease during these stormy times at the nest.

Follow Bensweather for detailed information about the local weather:
http://bensweather.com/


🐥Misty hatched 3/3 23:26 | Sunny hatched 3/4 4:29 | Gizmo hatched 3/8 before 6:13
🐥Misty, who sadly passed away during a winter storm after 3/13/2025, was named in honor of Kathi Misterly, a very dedicated FOBBV volunteer who was lost to cancer and is still very missed.💔

ℹResident Bald Eagle male: Shadow (unbanded) since May 2018. Estimated hatch year: 2014
ℹResident Bald Eagle female: Jackie (unbanded) since September 2016. Estimated hatch year: 2012

🔴LIVE Recap & Observations https://bit.ly/3Md8TSz
🔠Eagle Glossary + Acronyms +Useful Links: https://bit.ly/2Ln0GAN
📖Big Bear Eagle History: https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.or...
🔗FOBBV Instagram   / fobbv.official  
🔗FOBBV Facebook Page   / fobbv  
🔗FOBBV Facebook Group for more picture and video highlights:   / fobbv