Steller's Sea Eagle
Haliaeetus pelagicus
Meet the Steller's Sea Eagle
Steller's Sea Eagle is one of the largest raptors in the world, known for its striking black and white plumage and massive yellow beak. Native to northeastern Asia, especially around the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kamchatka Peninsula, it prefers coastal habitats and large rivers. This eagle primarily feeds on fish, particularly salmon, but will also eat waterfowl and small mammals. Its impressive size and powerful build make it a formidable predator, while its rarity and striking appearance have made it a symbol of the Russian Far East.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 3 Sources Classification
Bird
Habitat
Coastal forests and river mouths
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
20-25 years
Conservation
Vulnerable
Weight
6.8-9 kg
📖Fascinating Facts
Enormous Wingspan
Steller's Sea Eagle boasts a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (over 8 feet), making it one of the largest eagles in the world.
Fish Specialist
This eagle's diet is primarily composed of fish, especially salmon, which it catches with its powerful talons in coastal and river habitats.
Remote Habitat
Steller's Sea Eagle is found in remote, cold regions of northeastern Asia, with most of the population residing on the Kamchatka Peninsula and along the Sea of Okhotsk.
📋Detailed Description
Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is among the largest and most powerful raptors globally, with adults typically measuring 85–105 cm (33–41 in) in length and boasting an impressive wingspan of 1.95–2.5 m (6.4–8.2 ft). Females, as in most raptors, are larger than males, with weights ranging from 6.8 to 9 kg (15–20 lb), while males average 4.9 to 6 kg (11–13 lb). Its plumage is predominantly dark brown to blackish, contrasted by striking white shoulders, thighs, tail, and upper wing coverts. The massive, deep yellow bill is highly adapted for tearing flesh, and the legs and talons are equally robust. This eagle exhibits keen eyesight, essential for spotting prey from great distances. Steller's Sea Eagles are primarily solitary outside the breeding season but may congregate in significant numbers at rich food sources, especially during salmon runs. Their vocalizations are loud and harsh, used for communication during breeding or territorial disputes. They are long-lived birds, with lifespans in the wild estimated at 20–25 years, though some individuals in captivity have lived over 40 years. Their presence is largely restricted to the Russian Far East, with wintering populations reaching Japan, Korea, and occasionally China.
💡 Did you know?
Despite its formidable size, Steller's Sea Eagle sometimes loses its catch to other eagles or even crows due to kleptoparasitism.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
Steller's sea eagle, also known as the Pacific sea eagle or white-shouldered eagle, is a very large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was described first by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. No subspecies are recognised. A sturdy eagle, it has dark brown plumage with white wings and tail, a yellow beak, and yellow talons. Typically, it is the heaviest eagle in the world, at about 5 to 10 kg, but in some standard measurements, may be ranked below the harpy eagle and the Philippine eagle. Steller's sea eagle females are bigger than males.
Last Modified: 6/11/2025
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Steller's Sea Eagles are diurnal and exhibit both solitary and loosely social behaviors depending on food availability. During the breeding season, pairs are highly territorial, defending large stretches of river or coastline. Outside of breeding, especially during winter, they may gather in groups of up to several hundred individuals at abundant food sources, such as salmon spawning grounds or ice floes with stranded fish. Their hunting technique is primarily perch-and-wait or low soaring over water, using their exceptional vision to spot fish near the surface. They snatch prey with their powerful talons, often carrying fish weighing up to 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb). While fish, especially Pacific salmon and trout, constitute the bulk of their diet, they are opportunistic and will take waterfowl, small mammals, carrion, and even steal prey from other birds (kleptoparasitism). Daily activity peaks at dawn and dusk, coinciding with fish activity. Steller's Sea Eagles are known for their complex aerial displays during courtship and for aggressive interactions with conspecifics and other raptors.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
Breeding occurs from late March to early May. Steller's Sea Eagles are monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds. Nests are massive stick platforms, often reused and enlarged each year, and are typically built in tall trees or on rocky outcrops near water. Nests can reach up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in diameter and 1.2 m (4 ft) deep. Females lay 1–3 eggs (most commonly 2), which are incubated primarily by the female for 38–45 days. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks, which hatch asynchronously. Fledging occurs at 70–80 days, but juveniles remain dependent on parents for several weeks post-fledging. Breeding success is closely tied to food availability, particularly the abundance of salmon. Steller's Sea Eagles reach sexual maturity at 4–5 years of age.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
Steller's Sea Eagles possess several adaptations for their piscivorous lifestyle. Their powerful, hooked bill and strong talons are specialized for grasping and tearing slippery fish. Dense, water-repellent plumage insulates them against the cold, wet environments of their northern range. Their large size provides thermal inertia, aiding survival in harsh climates. The eagle's acute vision allows detection of prey from considerable distances, even through water glare. Behavioral flexibility, such as shifting to waterfowl or carrion when fish are scarce, enhances survival. Their ability to nest in both trees and cliffs provides resilience against habitat changes.
📚Research Sources
🎨Cultural Significance
Steller's Sea Eagle holds significant cultural importance in the Russian Far East, where it is regarded as a symbol of wilderness and strength. It features in indigenous folklore, often depicted as a guardian spirit or a harbinger of fortune. In Japan, where the eagle is a winter visitor, it attracts ecotourism and is a subject of traditional art and photography. The species is protected under Russian and Japanese law and is listed in CITES Appendix II, reflecting its international conservation significance.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent research has focused on the eagle's migratory patterns using satellite telemetry, revealing complex seasonal movements between breeding and wintering grounds. Studies on diet and foraging ecology highlight the eagle's dependence on healthy salmon runs, making it a sentinel species for riverine ecosystem health. Genetic analyses show low genetic diversity, raising concerns about long-term viability. Ongoing monitoring programs in Russia and Japan track population trends and reproductive success. Notably, climate-driven changes in prey availability and habitat are active areas of study, with implications for future conservation strategies.
🎥Wildlife Videos
World's Largest Eagle Attacks Kittiwake Birds | Blue Planet | BBC Earth
Watch this breath-taking wildlife video to see a Steller's Sea Eagle take advantage of the nesting season to pluck a Kittiwake bird ...
BBC Earth
The Sea Eagle - King of the Seas | Free Documentary Nature
The Sea Eagle - King of the Seas | Wildlife Documentary Watch 'The Golden Eagle - Master of the Sky' here: ...
Free Documentary - Nature
Wings of Freedom: The Last Wild Sea Eagle | Free Documentary Nature
Wings of Freedom: The Last Wild Sea Eagle | Wildlife Documentary Watch 'The Golden Eagle - Master of the Sky' here: ...
Free Documentary - Nature
The Sea Eagle, the King of the Seas | Wildlife Documentary
The habitat of the sea eagle extends far to the north of the european continent. Weighing up to 7 kg; wings that span almost two ...
Best Documentary
Why The Temperature of the Sea is Important for Sea Eagles
Herring in the sea of Okhotsk only lay their eggs once the temperature of the water has reached 40 degrees. This is important ...
Smithsonian Channel
Steller Sea Eagle Documentary | Sea Eagle Hunting | Discovery Channel | Wild Species
Steller Sea Eagle Documentary | Sea Eagle Hunting | Discovery Channel | Wild Species Often called the world's most magnificent ...
Wild Species
🌍Habitat Information
The Steller's Sea Eagle typically inhabits Coastal forests and river mouths environments. Steller's Sea Eagles have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Coastal forests and river mouths
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Steller's Sea Eagle is currently classified as Vulnerable. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
The primary threats to Steller's Sea Eagle include habitat loss from logging and development, overfishing (reducing prey availability), pollution (notably heavy metals and organochlorines), and human disturbance at nesting sites. Climate change poses emerging risks by altering salmon populations and riverine ecosystems. Lead poisoning from ingestion of spent ammunition in carrion is a documented mortality factor. The global population is estimated at 4,000–5,000 individuals and is considered Vulnerable by the IUCN, with a declining trend. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, pollution control, and public awareness, but enforcement and transboundary cooperation remain challenging.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Haliaeetus pelagicus
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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