KD1 is a banded female bald eagle hatched in 2022 in the Prado Basin and recently observed near Shadow and the pair’s nest. Fitted with metal and lavender leg bands marked "KD1," she is approaching breeding age and was seen inspecting the nest on the FOBBV livestream. While social media has speculated she could pair with Shadow, biologists say it’s too soon to know; it is not currently the main breeding season. The piece also summarizes Jackie and Shadow’s nesting history and the circumstances of Jackie’s injury and death.
Who Is KD1? The Banded Bald Eagle Seen Near Jackie And Shadow’s Nest
Bald eagle KD1 on Jackie and Shadow's nest overlooking Big Bear Lake.
As communities continue to mourn Jackie, attention has turned to another eagle now seen near Jackie’s former mate, Shadow, and in the pair’s nest: a banded female known to biologists as KD1.
Who Is KD1?
KD1 hatched in 2022 in the Prado Basin, roughly 70 miles from Big Bear Lake in southern California. She was fitted with identification bands by Orange County Water District researchers as part of long-term monitoring efforts that help track individual eagles’ movements, survival and breeding status.
Appearance And Age
Observers note KD1 currently shows a dark spot on her head. That marking may be temporary (unfinished adult plumage) or could be debris such as tree sap or dirt. She wears two leg bands you can spot on the nest cam: a small metal band and a lavender-colored band labeled "KD1". Hatched in 2022, KD1 is reaching maturity and is approaching the age when many bald eagles begin breeding.
Behavior Around The Nest
KD1 was recently seen inspecting the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) livestream nest and has been observed near Shadow. Such visits and flights around Big Bear are normal for young adult eagles in this season. While social media has speculated that KD1 might pair with Shadow, biologists caution it’s too early to draw conclusions: it is currently not the primary breeding season, and pairing decisions depend on the birds’ behavior over time.
Nesting Season And What To Watch For
FOBBV tracks a nesting window that begins on September 1 and can last more than six months depending on when fledged chicks disperse; eggs are typically laid in January. If you want to identify KD1 on the nest cam, look for the two small leg bands—a metal band plus the lavender band marked "KD1."
Jackie And Shadow: A Brief Timeline
Jackie and Shadow paired in 2018 and were the subject of long-running nest-cam coverage by FOBBV. They successfully raised chicks in 2019 (Cookie and Simba) and 2022 (Spirit). Eggs failed to hatch in 2023 and 2024. In early 2025 Jackie laid three eggs that hatched in March, but a severe snowstorm damaged the nest and left two surviving chicks, Sunny and Gizmo. Jackie also laid eggs that were destroyed by ravens in January of another season and later hatched two more chicks, named Luna and Sandy—the latter named in honor of former FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who died of cancer in February.
Jackie’s Injury And Passing
On July 17 Jackie was found injured near Dana Point Park following an altercation with two subadult eagles. Witness video showed her fend off the attackers, but she was unable to fly away and was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment. Veterinarians diagnosed severe anemia; reports said her packed cell volume (PCV) fell to single digits and was later reported at around 9 percent. Jackie’s condition deteriorated, and she died in the early hours of August 10.
Note: KD1’s presence near the nest is notable but not definitive evidence of a new pairing. Experts will continue to monitor nest activity and the birds’ behavior over the coming months.
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