The Steller's sea eagle is much more dangerous than it looks. In spite of its beauty, it's a brutal killer-one of the largest birds of prey in the world. It has powerful claws that can tear flesh to pieces and a beak that can crush bones like potato chips. Named after a Russian explorer, this eagle loves fish, but it will eat just about anything when it's hungry.
"Grippy" Toes: The Steller's sea eagle has razor-sharp talons at the end of its toes, enabling it to pluck fish from the water. Each claw is also covered with spiny scales, making it easier for the bird to grip a fish's slippery body.
Take-Home Meal: The Steller's sea eagle's big yellow beak is very powerful. Without it, the bird would be unable to rip its prey apart. The eagle also uses its oversize beak to carry food back to its nest to feed its young.
Steller vs. Salmon[]
Steller's sea eagles often fight over meals.
The Steller's sea eagle is one of the most efficient hunters in nature. It will sit on a tree branch and wait, for hours if necessary, until a fish draws near the surface. Then the eagle will spread its wings and dive gracefully, snatching the fish from the water and sailing off. It has also been known to fly just above the water's surface or, in some cases, wade along the shoreline in search of anything dead that might have washed up. Steller's eagles have also been caught stealing salmon from fishermen's nets.
Stop Thief! Hundreds of Steller's sea eagles will flock to areas where fish are plentiful. Competition can be fierce. Eagles that pull the fish from the water need to be on the lookout for other eagles that linger nearby in the hope of stealing the catch.
"See Food" Diet: Steller's sea eagles prefer salmon, but if none are available, they will feed on other fish or shellfish that wash up on shore. They will also eat mammals, such as rabbits and dead seals, and other birds, like ducks and geese.
Birds of a Feather[]
- The bald eagle is the most famous relative of the Steller's sea eagle. Bald eagles are found mainly in North America, most of them in Alaska. Like Steller's, the bald eagle mostly eats fish but will happily grab something else-such as birds or small mammals-if it can't find fish.
- The white-tailed sea eagle is the largest eagle in Europe, with a wingspan of nearly eight feet. (It's also found in parts of Asia.) It's not as colorful as Steller's or bald eagles, but it's just as vicious. It's found near large lakes and moving rivers, where it hunts fish and small animals.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The knowledge card says Steller's Sea Eagle; however, the trading card misspells it as Stellar’s Sea Eagle.
- This eagle was named after Georg Willhelm Steller - another animal featured in the series, Steller Sea Lion, also shares this naming.
- The Steller's Sea Eagle is the largest living eagle by size.