Friends of Big Bear Valley Launches Contest to Name Bald Eagle Chicks, Aims to Raise Funds for Habitat Conservation
The Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit organization, has initiated a naming contest for the newly hatched chicks of the famous bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, in Southern California. The contest, which began on April 15, 2026, invites the public to submit names for the two eaglets, currently referred to as Chick 1 and Chick 2. Participants can enter the contest by making a small donation, with options to submit one, three, or ten name suggestions for $5, $10, or $25, respectively. The names will be selected through a voting process involving Big Bear third graders, who will choose from a list generated by a computer program. The winning names will be announced on the nonprofit's social media and website. The contest aims to raise funds to help the Friends of Big Bear Valley purchase the habitat for permanent conservatorship, as it is under threat from a proposed luxury housing and marina development.