Enormous Steller's Sea Eagle in Hokkaido!

One raptor that commands attention while in Hokkaido is the Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). These incredible raptors are among the largest diurnal birds of prey in the world. With an average weight of up to 10 kg (22 pounds), they are the heaviest raptors on Earth, standing nearly 94 cm (3 feet) tall and boasting a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet); their commanding presence is a sight to behold. Males and females share the same striking plumage—a mix of blackish-brown with white accents on their shoulders, rump, tail, thighs, and forehead—combined with their massive yellow, razor-sharp hooked bills, making them both fearsome predators and majestic photographic subjects. Their sheer power and unrelenting pursuit of prey are mesmerizing to witness and capture through the lens. Males and females are virtually indistinguishable, but females are generally 20 to 30 percent heavier.

A few years ago, a colleague photographed a Steller's Sea Eagle believed to have a wingspan eclipsing 3 meters (10 feet), spotted from a chartered helicopter while on assignment capturing landscape shots between Hokkaido and Russia. Suddenly, an enormous blur of white and black strafed the aircraft. Both the pilot and my friend were astounded at the size of the monstrous Steller's Sea Eagle, which could have been the largest Steller's Sea Eagle on the planet ever photographed. Still, this year in Hokkaido, another remarkable sighting occurred—a female juvenile Steller's Sea Eagle that is predicted to eventually take the title of the largest Steller's ever spotted. The attached photo provides a glimpse of its immense size.

With its wings spread wide and its enormous body, this massive Steller's Sea Eagle's presence is already imposing. Once fully matured, it will become an even more formidable pack ice combatant and hunter than it already is. I look forward to hopefully spotting this giant raptor again next year, predicting it to be at least 50 percent bigger than other Steller's Sea Eagles. The anticipation of returning to the deck of a chartered vessel or perhaps riding in a zodiac boat adds to the excitement. With an average life expectancy of 20 to 25 years, there will be many more chances to have another encounter with this giant raptor.