Sunny and Gizmo, the two Big Bear bald eagle chicks that have captivated fans since they hatched earlier this spring, are showing signs they may soon leave the nest they’ve called home since March.
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that monitors the eagles’ nest overlooking Big Bear Lake via two web cams, the two young eagles are now 10 weeks old and “Fledge Watch” has officially begun.
“Wingersizing will be more intense now too,” the nonprofit wrote in a social media post Wednesday, May 14. “When the wind comes up, it encourages both to rise and stretch their massive wings out wide and flap hard.”
Recently, Sunny, the larger of the two eaglets, caught a breeze and began hopping and jumping until its body lifted up and off the nest, the nonprofit said. It takes a full second of lift to be considered hovering, according to the nonprofit, and the young eagles are getting closer to that goal.
Eaglets Sunny and Gizmo share a meal in the Big Bear nest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or fly away from the nest, any day, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. (Screenshot courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Sunny, the larger of the two eaglets in the Big Bear nest, flaps their wings in preparation for flying one day soon while Gizmo stands by in the Big Bear nest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or fly away from the nest, any day, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. (Screenshot courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Sunny, the larger of the two eaglets in the Big Bear nest, flaps their wings in preparation for flying one day soon while Gizmo stands by in the Big Bear nest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or fly away from the nest, any day, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. (Screenshot courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
Sunny, the larger of the two eaglets in the Big Bear nest, flaps their wings in preparation for flying one day soon while Gizmo watches in the Big Bear nest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or fly away from the nest, any day, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. (Screenshot courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
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Eaglets Sunny and Gizmo share a meal in the Big Bear nest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The eaglets are expected to fledge, or fly away from the nest, any day, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. (Screenshot courtesy of Friends of Big Bear Valley)
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It’s been three years since an eaglet has successfully fledged from the Big Bear Lake nest. Spirit soared away from the nest on May 31, 2022.
