On April 3, 2026, the moment Big Bear viewers have been waiting for finally appeared in the nest. One of Jackie and Shadow’s eggs shows a confirmed pip, the first clear sign that hatching has officially begun. After little chirps were heard yesterday afternoon, again in the evening, and throughout the night, today brought the breakthrough everyone had been watching for.
A small piece of shell could be seen lifting on the egg, confirming that the chick inside is actively working its way out.
For days, the nest has felt like it was leaning toward something. Jackie and Shadow stayed locked into their quiet rhythm, taking turns incubating, guarding the eggs, and settling into the bowl with careful precision. Then came the first tiny sounds from inside. Those chirps suggested the chick had already broken through the internal membrane and taken its first breath of air. That early stage is hidden from view, but it is one of the biggest signs that a hatch is getting close. Now, with a confirmed pip visible on the shell, the wait has shifted into something much more real.
The video replay below shows the confirmed pip after it appeared on Jackie and Shadow’s egg.
Watch Live <—— nest & approach cams
The Confirmed Pip Changes the Story at the Big Bear Nest
A pip is the first visible breach in the outer shell made by the eaglet as it begins hatching. Using its egg tooth, the chick slowly works at the shell from the inside, often creating a tiny raised crack, a lifted flap, or a small star-like break in the surface. It may look like a very small change on camera, but at the nest, it is a major milestone. A confirmed pip means this is no longer just hatch watch. Hatching is underway.
Receive updates like this one in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter. 🦅
In this case, the visible pip was seen on the egg on the right, giving viewers the proof they had been waiting for after hours of listening, watching, and wondering if the subtle changes in behavior meant something more.
The Overnight Chirps Were the First Major Clue
Before the shell visibly changed, the nest was already hinting that the chick had made progress inside the egg. Little chirps were heard yesterday afternoon, during the evening, and through the night. That is important because it suggests the chick had already reached the stage where it could access air and begin vocalizing from inside the shell.
That kind of sign often comes before the pip can be clearly seen. So by the time the shell finally showed that small lifted piece, the process was already moving forward. What looked quiet from the outside was actually the beginning of a hatch.
Egg #1 Is Now on Day 38
Today is day 38 for egg #1 and day 35 for egg #2, placing the first egg squarely in the expected hatching window.
The timing fits, the earlier chirps fit, and now the shell itself is showing the first visible evidence that the chick is working to emerge.
That does not mean the hatch will happen instantly. From the first pip to a full hatch, it can take 24 to 48 hours, and sometimes longer. The chick may rest between efforts, slowly widening the opening before it can break free completely. This stage is often a test of patience, even after the most exciting sign has arrived.
Why This Tiny Shell Change Feels So Big
A pip is small, but it carries enormous emotional weight. It is the first visible moment when waiting turns into arrival. For Jackie and Shadow, it marks the point where weeks of steady incubation have led to visible progress. It is the sign that the nest is no longer holding only possibility. It is holding a chick that has started to hatch.
The chirps, the lifted shell, and the timing just before Easter weekend turned this milestone into an emotional one. Many described it as joyful, moving, and deeply needed good news.
What Happens Next for Jackie and Shadow?
Now that the confirmed pip is visible, all eyes turn to the next stage. Viewers may see the shell opening widen, the pip site become more obvious, or subtle movement around the crack as the chick continues working. Jackie and Shadow will likely remain highly attentive, carefully incubating and protecting the eggs while the process unfolds.
This is the stage where everything feels close, but not yet complete. The chick has started the hard work. The shell has answered back. And the nest has entered its most suspenseful stretch.
Congratulations to Jackie and Shadow on this beautiful milestone. Big Bear now has a confirmed pip, and the first eaglet of the season may not be far behind.
Thank you to the Friends Of Big Bear Valley for making this live cam experience possible and allowing others to learn about Bald Eagles. Sky Raptor Watch created the video replay on YouTube.
FAQ
What is a confirmed pip in an eagle egg?
A confirmed pip is the first clearly visible crack or opening in the eggshell made by the eaglet as it begins hatching.
When did Jackie and Shadow’s nest show the confirmed pip?
On April 3, 2026, Jackie and Shadow’s nest showed a confirmed pip after the chick began chirping the previous afternoon and continued overnight.
Which egg has the confirmed pip?
The egg on the right in the video showed the confirmed pip.
How long after a pip does an eaglet usually hatch?
It usually takes 24 to 48 hours after the first visible pip for the chick to fully hatch, though sometimes it can take longer.
Were there signs before the pip was visible?
Yes. The chick let out little chirps before the pip appeared, suggesting it had already broken through the internal membrane and taken its first breath of air.
