Sunny the baby eagle flies first time in Big Bear Valley
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Sunny the baby eagle flies first time in Big Bear Valley

Big Bear Valley’s baby bald eagle Sunny takes first flight while Sister Gizmo watches

Sunny, the baby bald eagle living in California’s Big Bear Valley, took her very first flight on the morning of June 2, 2025. This is a big moment for Sunny, her family, and all the eagle watchers who have been following her growth closely.

Sunny’s parents, Jackie and Shadow, are well-known eagles in the area. They have been caring for their chicks with great attention. For weeks, they helped Sunny and her sister Gizmo practice flying. Jackie and Shadow made sure their babies were ready by adding bigger sticks around their nest to act like guardrails. This helped the chicks stay safe as they learned to move around.

On that special morning, Sunny jumped from a high branch, spread her wings wide, and caught the wind. She flew in a circle and landed near her parents’ favorite tree. This first flight was not just exciting but also a sign that Sunny is growing strong and healthy.

A group called Friends of Big Bear Valley has set up many cameras to watch the eagle family all day long. They shared Sunny’s flight live on social media, where many people from around the world watched and cheered. The group wrote, “Sunny flew from the upper Y-branch right out into the world! She used her beautiful wings to soar and then came back near the nest.”

Eagle watchers had been waiting for this moment for a long time. For weeks, the two chicks practiced flying by hopping from branch to branch. Sunny’s successful flight was right on time, as eagle chicks usually learn to fly between 10 and 14 weeks old.

Sunny’s parents must feel proud after all the hard work and care they gave to their babies. The whole valley seemed to celebrate as Sunny showed she was ready to take on the skies.

What’s next for Gizmo?

Now that Sunny has flown, everyone is watching to see what will happen next with her sister, Gizmo. Gizmo is younger and has been growing a bit slower than Sunny. She watched Sunny’s flight with curiosity, and soon it may be her turn to take her first flight.

Sandy Steers, the Executive Director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, said in an interview, “We are very happy that Sunny flew successfully, but we also feel a little sad. We hope Gizmo will fly soon too.”

This year is special because it is rare for both eagle chicks in a family to learn to fly. Usually, only one chick manages to fledge. If Gizmo also flies, it will be the first time this has happened in Big Bear Valley.

Sadly, there was a third chick named Misty who did not survive. Misty hatched on March 6 but died after a snowstorm a few days later. The family’s joy now focuses on Sunny and Gizmo.

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The eagle family is still under close watch. Cameras capture their every move, and people from around the world continue to follow their story. This close-up look into the life of eagles helps people understand and appreciate these beautiful birds more.

As Gizmo grows and gets ready for her flight, everyone is waiting with excitement. The skies of Big Bear Valley may soon have two new eagles soaring high.

Sunny’s first flight is a wonderful event for her family and the many people who have followed her story. The support and care from her parents, Jackie and Shadow, helped her reach this important step.

With Gizmo watching and learning, the Big Bear Valley eagle family continues to inspire and bring joy. Their journey is a beautiful reminder of nature’s wonder and the hard work that goes into growing strong.

As the valley watches closely, we hope to see both chicks flying freely soon, filling the skies with their powerful wings.

 


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