The snowfall began on the morning of Tuesday, March 11. Thanks to a camera placed near the nest by the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, we witnessed a mother’s tenderness and devotion to her young. At first, the three chicks were hidden beneath Jackie. But when she briefly stood up to check on them, one of the little ones peeked out. Later, we saw the heartwarming moment when the mother fed her babies. The first snow quickly melted when the sun came out.

Then, in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, a much heavier snowstorm hit. During the harsh weather, Jackie spread her wings to shield and protect her chicks. The bare patch on her belly kept them warm. This kind of parental protection is called a “Dadbrella” when done by the father, Shadow.

In 2024, Jackie was recorded incubating her eggs for 62 hours during an intense blizzard, demonstrating both her determination to protect her young and her resilience. Bald eagles are built for cold climates and can withstand extreme weather conditions, including rain and snowstorms. Adult bald eagles have over 7,000 water-resistant feathers, and their body temperature ranges between 40-41°C (104-106°F).

Eagles use their bodies and the strategic placement of their nests to block wind, rain, and snow, ensuring their chicks stay dry and safe.

“During heavy rain or snowfall, eagle parents will keep their chicks underneath them for long periods, only taking short breaks to feed them when necessary. Since the chicks haven’t yet developed water-resistant feathers, they can’t regulate their own body temperature,” explains wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant.

“As Jackie and Shadow’s chicks continue to grow, it will become more challenging for the parents to shield them from extreme weather. Around the age of 3-4 weeks, the chicks may no longer fit under their parent’s body, so Jackie and Shadow will likely stand over them to provide protection,” she adds.