Sea eagles are diurnal (active during the day). These birds are huge. Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on December 08, 2012: What a gorgeous eagle. Up and awesome. Together we can save and protect wildlife around the globe. This is a glorious hub. Many thanks for the vote, etc. [3] The feet are very powerful despite not bearing talons as long as those of a harpy eagle. [29][40] Smaller mammals have also been recorded as prey, including northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus) and tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus). These birds are beautiful and you've done a fantastic job of introducing them....I say 'introducing' because I didn't know about them. The yellow eyes are surrounded by a fleshy yellow eye ring, though it can be difficult to see. [52] In one case, a cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), the largest living accipitrid, was observed to be pursued in flight and kleptoparasitized by a Steller's sea eagle. They will usually stay until late March to late April before heading back north. The wedge-shaped tail and undertail coverts are plain white. carol stanley from Arizona on December 08, 2012: I always enjoy learning about new things. as i compare their size the phil eagle is the largest and u are correct. Steller's sea-eagles are carnivorous and eat a wide variety of prey, including fish, waterfowl, larger birds, and mammals, and they will also occasionally eat carrion. Steller's have been found as far south as Taiwan and in North America, but they are considered to be individuals that have wandered from their normal range. It is believed that they are glacial relics that evolved in the narrow, northeast Asian coast and simply stayed there through multiple Ice Age cycles, never occurring anywhere else. In winter, some of these raptors migrate as far south as the Korean coast and along the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Eagles use both monocular and binocular vision, meaning they can use their eyes independently or together depending on what they’re looking at, keeping an "eagle's-eye" view on their prey. Size: Steller's sea eagles are the largest of all sea eagles, and the heaviest known eagle. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Named after German naturalist Georg Steller, these powerful members of the Accipitridae bird family are amazing, and every birder should learn more about how to protect them. Class: AvesOrder: AccipitriformesFamily: AccipitridaeGenus: Haliaeetus Species: pelagicus. A very rare raptor: One of the rarest raptors in the world, very little is known about Steller’s sea-eagles, due to the remote nature of their primary habitat, the rocky seacoasts and rivers of northeastern Siberia in Russia. Steller's sea eagle is the largest bird in the genus Haliaeetus and is one of the largest raptors overall. I'd love to see them in the wild. Steller's Sea-Eagle Habitat and Distribution. [3][18][19] The average weight is variable, possibly due to seasonal variation in food access or general condition of eagles, but has been reported as high as a mean mass of 7,757 g (17.101 lb) to a median estimate weight of 6,250 g (13.78 lb), excluding expired eagles that were poisoned by lead and endured precipitous weight loss by the occasion of their deaths. [47] As in many sea and fish eagles, Steller's sea eagle may attempt to steal (and occasionally succeed in procuring) fish from osprey (Pandion haliaetus) where they coexist. [40] In Russia, upland grouse, such as black-billed capercaillie (Tetrao parvirostris) and willow and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus & L. muta) can be an important prey species; grouse are not typically taken by other Haliaeetus species. When I started reading up on the Steller's Sea Eagle it was hard not to write about it. Eagles depart between late March and late April, adults typically leaving before immatures. All the better to catch his prey, I'm sure. Despite its large size and attractive appearance, its habits are not well known. This is a sensible survival strategy in an extreme environment. Habitat loss due to the development of hydroelectric power projects and logging, overfishing and contaminated rivers are some of the many threats facing Steller’s sea eagles. [10] It is named after the German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller. All three have yellow eyes, beaks, and talons, unlike their next-closest relative, Pallas's fish eagle. While those of us in the western hemisphere may not be overly familiar with the Steller’s Sea Eagle, this beautiful member of the eagle family is certainly worth getting to know. Ester de Roij: Researcher Of all the places in Japan that I have explored, there’s something unique about Hokkaido. Please review our Re-Opening FAQs (FPZ and SZ) before your visit.• Members:​ Online reservations are required for your visit. Is it weight, length, wingspan? The birds spend much of their day perched on sea cliffs or trees, their “eagle eyes” on the lookout for food, ready to swoop in on a hapless victim. Your facts are very revealing and this whole thing is well written. Today, the Zoo is one of the few places in North America where you can view these impressive eagles. Aeries are massive, and they may sometimes contain 400 or more large branches. I've had a great time learning about these amazing creatures. They can pop out a monkey skull or even crush a human bone. Bill De Giulio (author) from Massachusetts on December 08, 2012: Thanks Alicia. [13], As in most Haliaeetus eagles, the tarsus and tail are relatively short compared with other very large eagles at 95–100 mm (3.7–3.9 in) and 320–390 mm (13–15 in) in length, respectively, the Philippine eagle surpassing it by up to 40 mm (1.6 in) and 110 mm (4.3 in) apparently. Steller's Sea Eagles have no natural predators. Steller’s Sea Eagles are generally black to dark brown over most of their body. Thanks so much. There, they often prey on deer carcasses, which can contain lead fragments from bullets. [5] The species name is the Ancient Greek pelagos "the open sea/ocean". They prefer rocky coastal habitats and are also found inland along large rivers with craggy edges and mature trees. [53], This eagle builds several aeries, being bulky constructions of twigs and sticks, at a height up to 150 cm (59 in) and diameter up to 250 cm (98 in). Their large, powerful bill is adapted to tearing at flesh. Perhaps next summer I will try. BirdLife International (2003). The sheer size of the Steller’s Sea Eagle is enough to make this raptor one of the most impressive birds in the world. Juvenile birds do not achieve their full adult plumage until they are four years old. [12] However, once fully grown, the eagle has no natural predators. However, beyond their bulkier, larger overall form, can fairly reliably be distinguished at reasonable range by their considerably more massive bill and their darker and more uniform body plumage. [46] Outside the breeding period, these eagles probably roost communally near their feeding sites. On average the Stellers Sea Eagle is the heaviest eagle in the world and has a slightly larger wingspan but the Philippine is the longest. On the whole, the species' outlook is favorable. Thanks for the questions. See steller's sea eagle stock video clips. Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 08, 2012: This hub starts with a very impressive photo, Bill, and the hub is very interesting! During the summer breeding season, these raptors spread out slightly further north along the Pacific coast. Like bald eagles and brown bears, the eagles take full advantage of the annual salmon run to gorge themselves on the spawning and dying fish. [29][38], The large body size (see also Bergmann's rule) and distribution of Steller's sea eagle suggests it is a glacial relict, meaning it evolved in a narrow subarctic zone of the northeasternmost Asian coasts, which shifted its latitude according to ice age cycles, and never occurred anywhere else. They can hunt from a perch or from flight, diving more than 100 feet or swooping down and catching prey in their talons. Thank you for sharing! They are one amazing creature. It will take about five years for the Steller's Sea Eagle to reach their sexual maturity and full color. These birds of prey hunt from a perch or from flight by diving and clutching prey in their talons. Thanks so much. [40][24], Mammalian carnivores are apparently readily hunted. Always feel free to comment as I want the most accurate information. [1] It was observed that recent heavy flooding, which may have been an effect of global climate change, caused almost complete nesting failure for the eagles nesting in Russian rivers due to completely hampering the ability of the parents to capture the fish essential to their nestlings' survival. I really enjoyed learning about the Steller's Sea Eagle. These very large, powerful eagles are also striking in appearance. I would love to see one also.