Immature © Christoph Moning
Adult © Christoph Moning
Immature © Charley Hesse TROPICAL BIRDING
Adult © Andres Vasquez Noboa
+ 4
Adult © Nick Bonomo
Adult © Andres Vasquez Noboa
Flock © Christoph Moning

Steller's Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus

Sign in to see your badges

Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

An immense eagle with large head and massive orange bill to match. Adult is striking, even from a great distance: rich brown overall, with snow-white tail, belly, and shoulder patches. Juvenile and immatures darker but usually acquire mostly white, wedge-shaped tail in second year. Younger birds can be confused with young White-tailed Eagle, but Steller’s distinguished by larger bill, wedge-shaped tail, and unique wing shape, narrow at the tip, bulging in the middle, then narrowing near the body. Plucks fish from icy seas and follows fishing boats for scraps. Often associates with White-tailed Eagles where prey is abundant.

POWERED BY MERLIN