Big Bear eaglet Sandy survived a terrifying fall, but the real threat begins after its first flight

Big Bear Lake bald eaglet Sandy survived a frightening fall from the nest and managed to take its first flight in an unexpected "accidental fledge." While the young eagle safely reached another tree with its parents quickly coming to its aid, wildlife experts say the biggest challenge is only beginning.

From rivalry with its sibling to starvation, disease, predators, and other natural threats, the odds of surviving to adulthood remain heavily stacked against newly fledged bald eagles.

What happened to Big Bear eaglet Sandy?

One of Big Bear Lake's two bald eaglets, Sandy, took flight for the first time on June 28 after accidentally tumbling from the nest, an event that unfolded live before thousands of viewers following the popular eagle nest camera operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).


The "accidental fledge" happened shortly before 11:30 a.m. when sibling Luna attempted to return to the nest. "Luna attempted to jump over Sandy to get back to the nest, when Sandy lost her footing and fell to some branches below," FOBBV shared via social media.

"A few minutes later she freed herself from those branches and apparently landed somewhere below the nest as we could hear her squees. Jackie showed up within minutes and landed below the nest keeping an eye on Sandy," the organization adds.

Sandy's first flight

But with everyone’s relief, minutes later, Sandy surprised observers by taking its first flight. "At 11:30 [a.m.], our security camera captured Sandy flying from the nest tree area to another area out of view, making it difficult to find where she landed," the group stated. " Sandy looked good in her flight, and she is likely relaxing from her unexpected adventure. Jackie and Shadow will now follow her wherever she goes and make sure she is fed and taken care of."

FOBBV later told CBS Los Angeles that it remained optimistic about the eaglet's condition and she is “likely hiding out." "Fortunately we saw her fly and land on another tree from our security camera," the organization said in a statement. "Right now she is likely hiding out and getting her bearings."

The organization also confirmed that Sandy's mother, Jackie, stayed close to the young bird following the incident.

The real danger begins after leaving the nest

Although Sandy successfully recovered from its unexpected first flight, wildlife experts say the period after fledging is often the most dangerous stage in a bald eagle's life.

According to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (niwra), young eagles can be antagonistic toward one another, with stronger siblings sometimes killing weaker nestmates or causing them to die from starvation through competition for food. While both Sandy and Luna have appeared healthy during their weeks in the nest, sibling rivalry is a well-documented survival challenge among birds of prey.

The organization also notes in a 2024 article that eaglets still face threats from exposure, disease, parasites, and predators even before they leave the nest.

Most young eagles never reach adulthood

Sandy and Luna hatched on April 4 and 5 after Jackie and Shadow's first clutch of eggs earlier this year was lost to invading ravens. The surviving chicks have spent weeks strengthening their wings before reaching fledging age, which typically occurs at around 75 days. However, successfully leaving the nest is only the beginning.

Niwra also noted that more than 90% of eagles that fledge do not survive to adulthood. Nearly 60% die during their first year, with starvation, disease, and human-related causes accounting for most deaths.

Even those that survive won't develop their iconic white head and tail feathers or begin breeding until they are around five years old.