Hokkaido Raptor Aerial Warfare

One of the most exhilarating highlights of visiting Hokkaido in winter is witnessing the breathtaking aerial duels between White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Steller’s Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus).

Known as the fourth-largest eagle species in the world, the White-tailed Eagle is awe-inspiring. Measuring between 65–95 cm in body length and boasting a wingspan of 170–260 cm (5 ft 5 in to 8 ft 5 in), this raptor may have the largest wingspan of any living eagle. While both males and females share similar plumage, females are generally 30% heavier and 15% larger in linear dimensions than males, though differentiating them in the wild can be difficult without physical measurements.

Equally impressive is the Steller’s Sea Eagle, one of the most massive raptors on Earth. With bold white-and-dark plumage, a powerful beak, and commanding presence, Haliaeetus pelagicus rivals—and often competes with—the White-tailed Eagle for dominance over prey on the icy waters off the coast of eastern Hokkaido.

I sometimes capture these raptors in action from the deck of an icebreaker ship as White-tailed Eagles and Steller’s Sea Eagles engage in dramatic skirmishes over fish on the drift ice. The scenes are electrifying: battle cries echo over the sea as eagles swoop, clash, and maneuver for dominance. The feeding frenzy plays out in vivid detail—sometimes so close you can hear the crunch of bone and the tear of flesh as a victorious eagle devours its prize. At times, a dropped fish plunges back into the Pacific Ocean, escaping only temporarily as another bird circles overhead, ready for its moment.