Most wintering birds there appear to be residential adults. Tingay, R. E., & Katzner, T. E. The sea eagle has a dark body and strongly arched yellow bill. [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. Both eyes are set on the front of the bird’s head and focus on the same thing, providing depth perception. 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. [3][29] As in all fish and sea eagles, as well as the majority of the world's fish-eating raptors, Steller's sea eagle has spicules, which are bumpy waves all along the bottom of their feet, which allow them to hold fish that may otherwise slip out of their grasp. BirdLife's online World Bird Database: the site for bird conservation. Eagles depart between late March and late April, adults typically leaving before immatures. The San Diego Zoo received its first Steller’s sea-eagle in 1953 as a gift from a Japanese ornithologist. The team was surprised to discover the extent of persecution these birds are exposed to, despite the species’ protected status throughout its range. Fishing and caviar harvesting are major industries in Russia’s Siberia, and they provide offal for sea-eagles to scavenge. The birds may not even breed until much later. It lives in coastal northeastern Asia and mainly preys on fish and water birds. The massive nests they build sometimes contain 400 or more large branches. niger. This is an important tool if you are diving more than 100 feet (30 meters) while trying to catch your food! Steller’s are called O-washi in Japan where they are revered and honored. Bill is large, heavy, and orange. The young birds consume about 1 pound (0.4 kilograms) of fish daily by the time they are 5 weeks old. [15][16] The eyes, the bill, and the feet of adults are yellow. [49][50][51] In other cases, though, the three eagle species have been observed to feed in close proximity and seem to be outwardly indifferent to each other's presence. [29] After an incubation period around 39 – 45 days the chicks hatch. Click here to return to the species description page . Other northern sea-eagles share the yellow legs, eyes, and beak of the Steller’s, and they are large birds as well, which seems to support this theory. Their diamond-shaped, white tails are relatively longer than those of the white-tailed eagle. [29] Clutches can contain from one to three eggs, with two being the average. In one case, two active nests were found to have been located within 100 m (330 ft). Foto de National Aviary, Pittsburgh: Backside of Stellers Sea Eagle - Confira as 26.719 fotos e vídeos reais dos membros do Tripadvisor de National Aviary Juvenile plumage is largely a uniform dark soot-brown with occasional grey-brown streaking about the head and the neck, white feather bases, and light mottling on the rectrices. Incubation lasts 40-45 days, and after the baby eaglets hatch, both parents continue to care for the young birds for 10-12 weeks until they are able to leave and hunt on ⦠A sturdy eagle, it has dark brown plumage with white wings and tail, and yellow beak and talons. It was originally described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. They are one of the largest raptors in the world, reaching weights of close to 20 pounds with wingspans of over 8 feet. Preliminary results show high juvenile mortality, with deaths associated with oil rigs. 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. The majority of birds winter south of their breeding range, in the southern Kuril Islands, Russia and HokkaidÅ, Japan. Our experienced Dealers can be seen paddling or racing in their own Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis having recognized the performance and light weight advantages of the ⦠The bold color patterns of adults may be an important signal influencing the formation of feeding groups. Ice reaches Hokkaido in late January. [31][32] Steller's sea eagle's bill is probably the largest of any living eagle, just surpassing to the Philippine eagle with a sole known culmen measurement (from a mature female) of 72.2 mm (2.84 in), and are similar in robustness (if slightly shorter in culmen length) to those of the largest accipitrids, the Old World vultures. The Steller's Sea Eagle weighs about 9kg (20 pounds) and has a wingspan of about 2.4m (8 feet). Still much to learn: Very little is known about these eagles, especially their early years. On average this is the largest eagle in the world weighing 5 to 9kg and the birds are known for their distinctive yellow beaks. Shop for stellers sea eagle art from the world's greatest living artists. [12] Along the sea coast and in Kamchatka, water birds are the most common prey.. Water birds taken by this species include ducks, geese, swans, cranes, herons, and gulls. Nests are built on large rocky outcroppings or at the tops of large trees on the coast and alongside large rivers with mature trees. [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. SPECIES PROFILE. [14] The latter name was given to the population which lacked white feathers except for the tail and supposedly was resident all year in Korea. [10] It is named after the German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller. In one case, a wildlife veteranian was badly injured when a female eagle grabbed his arm and embedded her talons, piercing through to the other side of his arm. On Kamchatka, most migrants are birds in transitional plumages. However, many threats to their survival persist. They are considered one of the largest of all eagles species along with the Philippine Eagle and the Harpy Eagle. [26][27][28], It is unique among all sea eagles in having a yellow bill even in juvenile birds, and possessing 14, not 12, rectrices. [45], Steller's sea eagles hunt most commonly from a perch in a tree or rocky ledge located 5–30 m (16–98 ft) above the water, although they may also hunt on the wing, while circling 6–7 m (20–23 ft) above the water. [29] During the display at the beginning of the breeding season, they have been heard to make calls to each that sound like very loud, deep-voiced gulls. On Kamchatka, eagles overwinter in forests and river valleys near the coast, but are irregularly distributed over the peninsula. Stellerâs Sea Eagle is actually a very ancient species. In groups, migrants are typically observed flying 100–200 m (330–660 ft) apart. [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. Falco leucopterus Temminck, 1824 This bird awed Zoo guests for many years. There, they often prey on deer carcasses, which can contain lead fragments from bullets. [3][31][33], The mature Steller's sea eagle has mostly dark brown to black plumage, with strongly contrasting white on the lesser and median upper-wing coverts, underwing coverts, thighs, under-tail coverts and tail. See more ideas about Steller's sea eagle, Sea eagle, Eagle. Research wildlife biologist Dave Douglas saw the rare eagle Friday morning. Its nest on top of tall trees is a huge structure 2.4m (8 feet) across and 3.6m (12 feet) deep. Stellers Sea Eagle Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus Pelagicus). Migrants tend to follow sea coasts and are usually observed flying singly. Overfishing by humans in Japanese waters has led the birds to scavenge on sika deer remains left by hunters. The eggs range from 78 to 85 mm (3.1 to 3.3 in) height and 57.5 to 64.5 mm (2.26 to 2.54 in) in width and weigh around 160 g (5.6 oz), being slightly larger than those of harpy eagles. "Steller's sea eagle" has been designated the official name by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). Your gift membership offers a lifetime of memories and your loved ones will experience the special wonder of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park when you give a gift membership today. Around 4,000 of these eagles live there. Aquila) or "harpy eagles", all of these specializations developed in the aid of capturing fish rather than medium-sized mammals and large birds, although clearly these are not excluded from capture. Little is known about this raptor’s phase from fledging and the first winter migration until it reaches sexual maturity and attains its striking adult plumage. Eagle of the sea: Often called the world’s most magnificent bird of prey, the Steller’s sea-eagle is dark, impressive, the largest of all sea-eagles, and the heaviest known eagle. Alternates deep wing beats with short to long glides. [40] Carrion, especially that of mammals, is readily eaten during the winter. Stellerâs sea eagles have the largest average weight of any living eagle and can have a wingspan greater than eight feet. The total population is around 3,200 breeding pairs. Steller’s Sea Eagle; Location: Russia, Japan, East Asia Wingspan: 2.45 m (8 ft 2 in) average Weight: 6,195 to 9,500 g (13.658 to 20.944 lb) Length: 85 to 105 cm (2 ft 9 in to 3 ft 5 in) Source: Francesco Veronesi [CC BY-A 2.0] via Flickr. It was estimated in one study (Brown & Amadon), that some seal pups carried off in flight by the eagles weighed at least 9.1 kg (20 lb), which (if true) would be the greatest load-carrying ever known for a bird; however, the prey weights were not verified. Steller’s sea-eagles make a deep barking cry, ra-ra-ra-raurau. Last seen in 1968 and long believed to be extinct, a female matching H. p. niger in appearance was hatched in captivity in Tierpark Berlin (Germany) in 2001. They usually place such nests high up on trees or on rocky outcrops at 15 to 20 m (49 to 66 ft) above the ground, sometimes in trees up to 45 m (148 ft). Steller's sea eagle is part of WikiProject Birds, an attempt at creating a standardized, informative and easy-to-use ornithological resource.If you would like to participate, visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. [24][25] However, less substantiated records indicate that it may also reach even greater wingspans. [12][38], Steller's sea eagle mainly feeds on fish. [15][16] One of the offspring of the dark Berlin female, a male hatched in 2014 that now lives in Skandinavisk Dyrepark (Denmark), also is a dark morph. 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. The Kamchatka Peninsula in Far Eastern Russia is known for its relatively large population of these birds. Once it reaches roughly adult size in the fledgling stage, few predators can threaten this species. One video shows a golden eagle engaging an immature Steller's in a conflict and ultimately displacing it after maintaining a superior grip despite its smaller size. The rivers where the sea-eagles fish are being contaminated by chemicals from local industries. Click here to return to the species description page . As in other sea eagles, remiges and rectrices of the first-year plumage are longer than those of adults. Like many of our carnivores, the birds also have fast days where no food is offered so their body can have time to digest the previous meal. Through at least three intermediate plumages, mottling in the tail decreases, body and wing feathering acquires a bronze cast, and the eye and bill lighten in colour. [12], Saito, K. (2009). [12] Definitive plumage is probably reached in the fourth to fifth year of life, based on data from captives. Steller’s are also known to hunt while flying and take small mammals, fish, and seabirds by swooping down and catching them with their talons. In the mountains of Koryakan and along the Bay of Penshina, over 1,200 pairs breed and at least 1,400 juveniles occur. [47], Kleptoparasitism is sometimes recorded within the species. [40] In one case, a Steller's sea eagle was observed feeding on a great albatross (genus Diomedea), a rare vagrant from the sub-Antarctic oceans. Aquila pelagica (Pallas, 1811) Relatively large numbers of these normally solitary birds can be seen congregating on particularly productive spawning rivers in August through September due to an abundant food supply. Possibly, up to 3,500 birds winter on Kamchatka, and another roughly 2,000 may occur on Hokkaido. Despite its large size and attractive appearance, its habits are not well known. An immense eagle with large head and massive orange bill to match. Family: Accipitridae 4. Today, the Zoo is one of the few places in North America where you can view these impressive eagles. We hope that seeing these amazing raptors up close will encourage visitors to participate in the conservation of this rare species. 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. [3][29] A very rare dark morph, once regarded as a separate subspecies H. p. niger, lacks white in its plumage, except for the tail. Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae that lives in coastal northeastern Asia and mainly preys on fish and water birds.On average, it is the heaviest eagle in the world, at about 5 to 9 kg (11 to 20 lb), but may be below the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and Philippine eagle ⦠Here are some of the things guests will see when they step into the aviary: A male Stellerâs sea-eagle named Piotr. Excluding the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus), which has not thus far been recorded as a predator, no other mammalian carnivores are equal to or greater than the eagle's size which can climb trees in the species' range. A sturdy eagle, it has dark brown plumage with white wings and tail, and yellow beak and talons. As of 2009, the world’s population was estimated at 5,000 birds, but it is slowly decreasing. The largest eagle in the world is the Stellar’s Sea Eagle. [4] Steller's sea eagle is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened species. Size: weighing up to 9.5 kg ⦠This is a sensible survival strategy in an extreme environment. The tail of the immature eagle is white with black mottling distally. Number of eggs laid: 1 to 3, usually only 1 chick survives, Length: 34 to 41 inches (86.5 to 105 centimeters) long. All three have yellow eyes, beaks, and talons, unlike their next-closest relative, Pallas's fish eagle. Young eagles get a satellite leg tag so researchers can track its movement. Find the perfect Steller's Sea Eagle stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.It was originally described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. Today, the Zoo is one of the few places in North America where you can view these impressive eagles. Eagle numbers peak in the Nemuro Strait in late February. The majority of birds winter south of their breeding range, in the southern Kuril Islands, Russia and Hokkaidō, Japan. The sheer size of the Stellerâs Sea Eagle is enough to make this raptor one of the most impressive birds in the world. Steller survived a harsh winter and returned to St. Petersburg with first descriptions of many animals, among them Stellerâs Sea Eagle. Yet the Steller’s sea-eagle can be flexible in its dietary habits and is an eater of all things protein—dead or alive—including puffins, fish, crabs, and even deer carcasses. [39] Among these, pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) and chum salmon (O. keta) are reportedly favored, sometimes intensely supplemented by grayling (Thymallus sp.) [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). [41] Common and thick-billed murres (Uria aalge and U. lomvia, respectively) dominated the diet around the Sea of Okhotsk, followed by black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), slaty-backed gulls, crested auklets (Aethia cristatella), and pelagic cormorants (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). (Abstract) Source-sink populations of the Steller's Sea Eagles (. Outside the breeding range, food bases in the principal wintering areas are so far secure. C This article has been rated as ⦠[48] In other cases, the Steller's have been photographed coming away with the prey after using its superior size to dominate, usually by bearing down its mass and large bill over the smaller eagles. A pair of Stellers sea-eagles lives in an aviary along the Zoos Eagle Trail. In 1996-1997, with the support of the Worl⦠Any of these small, clever nest predators rely on distraction and stealth to prey on the eagle's nests and are killed if caught by either of the parents. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. It is an eagle that lives in coastal northeastern Asia and mainly preys on fish and water birds. Class: Aves 2. Females vary in weight from 6,195 to 9,500 g (13.658 to 20.944 lb), while males being rather lighter with a weight range of 4,900 to 6,800 g (10.8 to 15.0 lb). [12] However, once fully grown, the eagle has no natural predators. This species was first described as Aquila pelagica by Prussian naturalist Peter Simon Pallas, in 1811. and trout. [3][19][22] Steller's sea eagle can range in total length from 85 to 105 cm (2 ft 9 in to 3 ft 5 in), apparently males average about 89 cm (2 ft 11 in) in length, while females average about 100 cm (3 ft 3 in), marginally shorter on average than the harpy eagle and about 65 mm (2.6 in) shorter than the Philippine eagle. The Steller’s sea-eagle is often easy to spot, with its dark body; white forehead, shoulders, tail, and thighs; and bright-yellow bill. Like its other close relatives (harriers, kites, and goshawks), Steller’s sea-eagles use binocular vision to precisely pinpoint the location of their lunch. These mainly include habitat alteration, industrial pollution, and overfishing, which in turn decrease their prey source. Eagles sometimes hunt by standing in or near shallow water on a sandbank, spit, or ice-flow, grabbing passing fish. It is considered the most powerful and aggressive of its closest relatives, the bald eagle and the white-tailed sea-eagle. [3][18][19][20][21] At its average weight, the Steller's seems to outweigh the average harpy by approximately 500 g (1.1 lb) and the average Philippine eagles by more than 1,000 g (2.2 lb). Cinereous Vulture and Steller's Sea Eagle Amongst the many winter birding highlights in South Korea are the concentrations of raptors at key wetlands, and amongst these, two species stand out in terms of their sheer majesty as well as for their global rarity: Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus and Stellers's Sea Eagle ⦠No subspecies are recognised. Its forehead, shoulders, thighs and tail are white. Rare visitor to Alaska. The Steller’s Sea Eagle is named after Georg Wilhelm Steller, a noted 18 th-century explorer and zoologist. World's largest eagle. Japan responded to this hazard by banning lead bullet use throughout the sea-eagles’ range within their country. [41] They also show a strong local preference for slaty-backed gulls (Larus schistisagus). [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. On average this is the largest eagle in the world weighing 5 to 9kg and the birds are known for their distinctive yellow beaks. [12][29], Courtship, which usually occurs between February and March, and reportedly simply consists of a soaring flight above the breeding area. Choose your favorite stellers sea eagle photographs from millions of available designs. [43] In winter, immature Steller's sea eagles may frequent slaughterhouses to pirate bits of offal. Steller's Sea Eagle These very large, powerful eagles are also striking in appearance. A Stellerâs Sea Eagle in a tree. [29] The Steller's sea eagle copulate on the nest after building it. The chicks are altricial and covered in whitish-down on hatching. 82 Stellerâs Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus: displa y and copulation in early spring and cartwheel displays of other Haliaeetus eaglesâ Bald Eagle (Stalmaster 1987, Buehler 2000), African and three-spined stickleback (Gastrossteus aculeatus). An additional 89 nesting areas are not monitored. [54] Due primarily to egg predation and nest collapses, only 45–67% of eggs are successfully reared to adulthood and up to 25% of nestlings may be lost. [6] Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck named it Falco leucopterus "white winged eagle" in 1824,[7] and Heinrich von Kittlitz called it Falco imperator in 1832. [3] These eagles may walk boldly within a few feet of fishermen when both are capturing fish during winter, but only familiar ones they have encountered previously: they behave warily and keep their distance if strangers are present. In one case, a brown bear (Ursus arctos) was able to access a nest located on a rock formation and ate a fledgling eaglet, though this is believed to be exceptional. Together we can save and protect wildlife around the globe. Eagle location estimates were concentrated in 1-3 sub-areas within their particular winter ranges. In autumn, when many salmon die after spawning, dead fish tend to be consumed more often than live ones, and these are the main food for Steller's sea eagles that overwinter in inland rivers with unfrozen waters. The San Diego Zoo received its first Steller’s sea-eagle in 1953, https://zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz/winged-hunters/. Their favored prey in river habitats are salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) [29] Where feeding occurs in groups, kleptoparasitism is common. Version 2.0. One to ⦠They are aggressive hunters, subsisting primarily on fish and small mammals. (2000). [40] While pink and chum salmon average approximately 2,200 and 5,000 g (4.9 and 11.0 lb) in mature mass, respectively, Steller's sea eagle not infrequently preys on fish up to 6,000 to 7,000 g (13 to 15 lb). Cornell University Press. Thalassaetus pelagicus (Pallas), Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. The Steller's Sea-Eagle is a massive and powerful raptor of northeastern Asia, this species has wandered a few times to North America, with strays found along the Alaskan coast on occasion. [12] In summer, live fish, typically in the range of 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) in length, are fed to the young at the nest. The Steller's sea eagle is less prone to vagrancy than the white-tailed eagle, as it lacks the long-range dispersal typical of juveniles of that species,[36][37] but vagrant eagles have been found in North America, at locations including the Pribilof Islands and Kodiak Island, and inland in Asia to as far as Beijing in China and Yakutsk in Russia's Sakha Republic, and south to as far as Taiwan. [38] On Kamchatka, aggregations of as many as 700 eagles have been reported, though much smaller groups are the norm. This resource supports an important commercial fishery which in turn helps to support eagles. Potapov, E., U. Irina, M. McGrady, and D. Rimlinger. Vladimir B. Masterov is an associate scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU). (Eds.). [55], In Kamchatka, 320 pairs have been recorded. Some eagles, especially those that nest in sea coast, may not migrate. Usually, only one chick survives to adulthood, though in some cases as many as three will successfully fledge. Length: 34 - 41 inches Dark Steller's sea eagle solves 100 year debate. In 2006, San Diego Zoo Global and Natural Research, Ltd. teamed up with scientists there to study the movements of young Steller’s sea-eagles in their native habitat to determine the hazards young birds face, in hopes of protecting the species in the wild. Courtship occurs during late winter, and the female starts laying greenish white eggs in mid-spring. On average, it is the heaviest eagle in the world, at about 5 to 9 kilograms , but may lag behind the harpy eagle and Philippine eagle in some standard measurements. Steller's Sea-Eagle - Haliaeetus pelagicus Steller's Sea-Eagle Range Map. On average, it is the heaviest eagle in the world, at about 5 to 9 kg (11 to 20 lb), but may be below the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) in some standard measurements.[3]. [40] Small chicks of murres and cormorants were sometimes taken alive in Russia and brought back to nests, where they independently fed on remains of fish in the eagles' nests until they were killed themselves. Discounts and offers vary by membership type and cannot be combined. [17], Steller's sea eagle is the largest bird in the genus Haliaeetus and is one of the largest raptors overall. Our next Steller’s arrived in 1996. Kleptoparasitism is most beneficial in procuring food during periods of food abundance and in large feeding aggregations. During breeding season, they make calls that sound like very loud seagulls. Fully grown fledglings in tree nests are probably invulnerable to predation. This is not to mention the differing shape of the Steller's diamond-shaped tail and wings (paddle-like in Steller's against the square looking wings of the white-tailed), especially in flight, as well as a generally distinct under wing pattern. They are also occasionally seen flying over the northern ocean or perching on sea ice during the winter. [40] Like most Haliaeetus eagles, they hunt fish almost exclusively in shallow water. A Stellerâs Sea Eagle has been seen in downtown Juneau â far afield from its habitat of eastern Russia. A pair of Steller’s sea-eagles lives in an aviary along the Zoo’s Eagle Trail. Adult is striking, even from a great distance: rich brown overall, with snow-white tail, belly, and shoulder patches. At the San Diego Zoo, our Steller’s sea-eagles are fed rabbits, rats, and fish on rotating days. [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. Habitat with large Erman's birches (Betula ermanii) and floodplain forests of larches, alders, willows and poplar are preferred. The eagle watchers: Observing and conserving raptors around the world. [3][20] The Steller's sea eagle's absolute maximum wingspan is less certain; many sources place it at up to 2.45 m (8 ft 2 in). On the whole, the species' outlook is favorable. [40][24], Mammalian carnivores are apparently readily hunted. February 2018 is yet another return visit to Japan to photograph the various species on offer, including the blakistonâs fish owl, red crowned crane, snow monkey, stellers sea eagle, ural owl, white tailed sea eagle, whooper swan & more; so if you fancy photographing the wonderful winter wildlife & the amazing bleak landscapes, ⦠Juvenile and immatures darker but usually acquire mostly white, wedge-shaped tail in second year. [21][29] The young Steller's sea eagle has a dark brown iris, whitish legs, and blackish-brown beak. Another 600 pairs occur in the lower Amur. [12] Due to a lack of other accessible prey in some areas, increasingly, eagles on Hokkaido have moved inland and scavenged on sika deer carcasses left by hunters, exposing them to a risk of lead poisoning through ingestion of lead shot. 1. [31] In coastal areas, nesting eagles may feed on Bering wolffish (Anarchichas orientalis), Hemitripterus villosus, smooth lumpfish (Aptocyclus ventricosus) and Myoxocephalus spp. [44] Often seals and sea lion of any size are eaten as carrion and, using the huge bill, may be dismembered where found rather than flown with. The Stellerâs Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus occupies a limited breeding range along the seacoasts and on islands and rivers of eastern Siberia from Koryakland south to northern Korea.