What a bird brain!
The beloved Southern California bald eagle whose partner was wounded in a brutal attack by two other eagles in Big Bear Lake was spotted spending time with another bird — while his baby mama is still in the hospital recuperating.
Shadow was seen sitting on a tree perch Thursday with another subadult female eagle while his mate, Jackie, is in recovery at the Ojai Raptor Center, according to an update by the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).
To make matters worse, Shadow was spotted with what could have been one of the eagles who had the skirmish with Jackie, the group said.
Jackie — who shares at least nine chicks with Shadow — is in critical condition at the wildlife rescue, with officials describing her case as “very serious.”
However, the vet teams believe Jackie was already sick before her fight with the two younger eagles. She is suffering from severe anemia and kidney inflammation, the center said in an update.
In good news for Jackie, an expert told the FOBBV that Shadow’s new perch partner doesn’t necessarily mean he has moved on.
“The expert stated that due to the incredible bond Jackie and Shadow have, it would be unlikely for him to move on now. That he won’t likely be looking for a mate until his hormones kick in,” the group said.
Shadow and Jackie have been together since 2018 and became viral sensations as a result of the FOBBV’s 24/7 livestream of bald eagles in the San Bernardino County, California valley.
