Steller's sea eagle

Steller's sea eagle, a magnificent bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811. Renowned for its striking appearance—dark brown feathers, white wings and tail, and a bright yellow beak and talons—this eagle is one of the heaviest in the world, typically weighing between 5 to 9 kilograms. These eagles primarily hunt fish and water birds and are most commonly found in northeastern coastal Asia, particularly on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, which is home to about 4,000 of these birds. Unfortunately, they are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Originally named Aquila pelagica, Steller's sea eagle has undergone several nomenclatural changes before settling on its current name. Named in honor of Georg Wilhelm Steller, it is also known as Steller's fish eagle, Pacific sea eagle, or white-shouldered eagle. Genetic studies indicate that Steller's sea eagle diverged from a common lineage with the bald eagle and the white-tailed eagle millions of years ago.

Steller's sea eagle is the largest bird within the genus Haliaeetus. Females are generally heavier, weighing between 6.2 to 9.5 kilograms, while males are lighter. They boast an impressive wingspan of 1.95 to 2.5 meters, and even juvenile birds have a yellow bill. Their diet primarily consists of fish such as salmon and trout, although they also consume water birds, small mammals, and occasionally scavenge carrion. They inhabit coastal areas, rivers, and inland regions with mature trees.

Regarding reproduction, these eagles build their nests in trees or on rocky cliffs. Their courtship displays begin between February and March. They typically lay one to three eggs, which hatch after an incubation period of 39-45 days. The chicks are ready to fledge by August or early September and reach full maturity around four years of age. However, the species faces significant challenges, including habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, and persecution, which have caused their population to dwindle to around 5,000 individuals.