Being a Steller’s Sea
Eagle (emphasis on Sea Eagle) these large birds of prey love to gorge on fresh
fish and water birds. On average,
they are the heaviest eagles in the world. Weighing in at anywhere between 11-20 pounds they give the
Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle some intense competition in the realm of
size.
These massive birds have
the second largest wingspan of any eagle, which ranges from 6.4 to 8.2
feet. Females have an average
weight of anywhere between 15-20 pounds; males are significantly smaller
weighing in around 11-13 pounds on average. In addition, they have a very large skull and bill; their
skull and culmen (upper ridge of a bird’s beak) measuring the largest among
eagles.
This Eagle has dark
plumage covering the majority of its body and high contrasting white on parts
of its upper-wing coverts, under-wing coverts, thighs, and under-tail
coverts. Many adults have an
extremely bold pied (meaning black and white) coloration. This raptor has a distinct tail that is
relatively longer than those of the White-tailed Sea Eagle and is structured in
a wedge-like shape (center tail feathers longer than outer ones). Like many eagle species they have
yellow colored eyes, bills, and feet.
Nestlings have significantly lighter plumage, which is mostly white
though it does not take long for their juvenile brownish-grey
plumage to start appearing.
Steller’s Sea Eagles are
known to make a deep barking cry, ra-ra-ra-raurau, when they find themselves in an aggressive
interaction. White-Tailed Sea
Eagles have a similar call although the Steller’s call is much deeper.
It has been observed that
Steller’s Sea Eagles may favor pink salmon and chum salmon, which are sometimes
supplemented by grayling and three-spined stickleback (both northern river fish
species). This species of eagle
prefers to hunt almost exclusively in shallow water where they hunt active
spawning rivers in August and September. In winter, once spawning season has
died down, their main diet becomes leftover dead salmon and carrion as they
start to move inland. To see a
video of Steller’s Sea Eagles in action Click Here.
Steller’s Sea Eagles are
classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature. Their total population is
estimated at 5,000 and is continuing to decrease. In areas such as Japan they are regarded as a “National
Treasure” and are legally protected.
The factors that threaten their survival include habitat alteration,
industrial pollution, and over-fishing.
To see close relatives of
this magnificent sea eagle come out and visit the World Bird Sanctuary and
stroll down the path just beyond the hospital to many of our Bald Eagles and our beautiful White-tailed Sea Eagle, Cousteau. The World Bird Sanctuary is open 363
days of the year (barring inclement weather closings). For directions and hours Click Here.
Submitted by Callie
Plakovic, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator
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