Let's Talk About Birds: Steller's Sea Eagle
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Steller's Sea Eagle.
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Among the world's eagle species, one of the largest and most magnificent is the Steller's Sea Eagle.
This massive bird of prey is found only in northeastern Russia, along the coastline and islands of the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea, where it feeds mainly on salmon. Steller's Sea Eagles hunt for their food in the open water, diving from cliffs or from mid-air to capture their prey with their powerful talons. They also will stand in shallow water or on chunks of floating ice and wait for fish to swim by. When the opportunity presents itself, they will also steal food from other birds.
Like all eagles, Steller's Sea Eagles have keen eyesight that gives them highly accurate depth perception and allows them to pinpoint the location of their prey in the water from a distance and while hurtling through the air at remarkable speed.
Steller's Sea Eagles are distinguished by their dramatic coloration and regal profile. Adult males and females are a dark brown, with contrasting bright white feathers in their tails, shoulders, thighs and forehead. Their hooked beaks and talons are a golden yellow. They are big, heavy birds, and can weigh up to 20 pounds.
They build their nests, called aeries, on high cliffs or dead trees. They will return to the same nest each year, adding a bit more to the construction just before eggs are laid. Extending six to eight feet across and weighing hundreds of pounds, these nests are so large that they have been known to come crashing down after breaking the branches of the trees in which they are built.
Chicks will stay in the nest until learning to fly at approximately 10 weeks of age.
Steller's Sea Eagles migrate to Japan for the winter, where they feed on cod, crabs, shellfish, small animals, birds and carrion.
Although they are protected throughout their range, Steller's Sea Eagle populations are declining as forest habitat is lost to logging, coastal areas are taken over for hydroelectric power, and food sources dwindle due to overfishing by the commercial fishing industry.
The National Aviary is home to two Steller's Sea Eagles: Aleutia and Kodiak. Be sure to look for these beautiful birds on your next visit.
First Published September 21, 2011 12:00 am
