If you’re among the tens of thousands who have been following Big Bear’s live bald eagle nest cam, then you’ll know eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have made an astonishing transformation. Since hatching in March as tiny gray fluffballs, they’ve rapidly grown into nearly full-sized birds, often spotted flapping their powerful wings as they are on the verge of fledging this month. But you’ll notice that a few signature bald eagle features remain conspicuously absent—namely, the iconic white head and tail feathers, and the bright yellow beak.
As noted by the Loudon Wildlife Conservancy, bald eagles don’t develop their distinctive white heads until they’re about 4 to 5 years old, so we’re unlikely to see Sunny and Gizmo looking drastically different right now. Their first molt doesn’t occur until after their first year, at which point gradual color changes begin.
Over the first two to three years of life, the head, tail, beak, and legs of young bald eagles begin to lighten. Around the age of 3.5 years, or the “sub-adult” stage, bald eagles may begin seeking a mate and building a nest. And by 4.5 years old, most will sport the classic adult bald eagle look, with bright white head and tail feathers and a yellow beak and legs.
Even though they won’t get their “bald” heads anytime soon, Sunny and Gizmo will be “fully feathered” when they take their first flights in the coming weeks. On the live cam, you can watch them practice flying and develop their hunting skills. Their parents, Jackie and Shadow, will still be around to feed and watch over the eaglets this summer.
In July and August, Sunny and Gizmo will be around 17-23 weeks old, which is when bald eaglets usually leave the nest. We’ll have to say farewell as they embark on a swift migration to western and northern Canada, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
But don’t worry—bald eagles typically return to their nesting areas after a few months, and many breeding pairs remain in California year-round. Jackie and Shadow are one such pair—in fact, Jackie herself was born in Big Bear back in 2012 and has been a fixture at the nest since 2017.
For now, be sure to keep an eye on the live cam. Sunny and Gizmo are expected to take their first flights starting this week, and you won’t want to miss this milestone!