Admirers of Jackie the bald eagle, who became an internet sensation from her perch overlooking Big Bear Lake, will have yet another chance to celebrate the bird’s legacy.
In a rare bipartisan resolution, California lawmakers established Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, as California Wildlife Day in remembrance of Jackie, calling the bird “a California icon.”
Jackie “created a connection between wildlife and people,” said State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach), who authored the resolution. “She touched so many hearts around the world. … This resolution now gives Jackie’s story its official place in California history.”
Jackie died last month after a weeks-long battle with a mysterious illness, setting off a torrent of heart-wrenching tributes and messages from her devoted fans who hailed from around the globe.
Many tuned in to the nonstop livestream of Jackie’s nest — often daily — to watch her and her mate Shadowweather freezing winter storms, protect their eggs and dote on fuzzy chicks.
The resolution that establishes Friday as California Wildlife Day noted that the celebration comes during the 250th anniversary of the United States, for which the bald eagle has been the “nation’s enduring symbol of freedom, strength and resilience.”
“Jackie’s life and legacy offer Californians an opportunity to reflect on those ideals while celebrating our responsibility to protect the wildlife and natural heritage entrusted to us,” the resolution said.
“Jackie the Bald Eagle is flying high now, but her legacy lives on,” Strickland wrote in a post on social media.
Staff writer Lila Seidman contributed to this report.
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