Steller’s Sea Eagle
Steller’s Sea Eagle: Hokkaido’s Colossal King of the Skies
If you ever find yourself standing on the icy shores of Hokkaido in the dead of winter, gazing out at the sea ice drifting in from Siberia, and suddenly feel the urge to duck because a bird the size of a small aircraft just swooped overhead, congratulations! You’ve just encountered the Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), one of the largest and most imposing birds of prey in the world.
With a wingspan that can stretch up to 2.5 meters (over 8 feet) and a bright yellow beak so large and distinctive it could double as an icebreaker, the Steller’s sea eagle is an unforgettable sight. This majestic raptor, named after 18th-century naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, migrates to Hokkaido from its breeding grounds in Russia’s Far East each winter, turning the island’s frozen coasts into a prime viewing spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Diet: A Fish-Lover’s Dream
Steller’s sea eagles are, first and foremost, fish enthusiasts. Their diet primarily consists of fish, with salmon and trout being particular favorites. During the winter months, when the rivers of Hokkaido are teeming with spawning fish, these eagles take full advantage, swooping down to snatch their slippery prey from the water with their enormous talons. Their hunting technique is a sight to behold—after all, when you’re a bird that weighs up to 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds), you don’t need to be subtle.
While fish is their main course, Steller’s sea eagles aren’t above mixing things up. They’ll also eat waterfowl, small mammals, and even carrion when the opportunity presents itself. In fact, one of their favorite winter activities is scavenging the frozen leftovers of other animals, which saves them a bit of effort during Hokkaido’s frigid months. Ever the opportunists, they’re known to steal fish from other birds, particularly the smaller white-tailed eagles, which share their habitat.
One of the most dramatic sights you can witness in Hokkaido is a Steller’s sea eagle tearing into a freshly caught fish, its massive yellow beak ripping apart the flesh while the icy wind whips through its feathers. It’s a display of pure, untamed power.
Habitat: The Ice-Laden Shores of Hokkaido
During the winter months, Steller’s sea eagles migrate south from their breeding grounds in Russia to Hokkaido, drawn by the island’s fish-rich rivers and coastal waters. They are most often found along the northeastern coasts, where the Sea of Okhotsk and the Nemuro Strait provide the perfect hunting grounds.
But it’s the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that stands out as one of the best places in the world to see these eagles. The peninsula’s dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and ice-strewn shores create an ideal habitat for the eagles, which perch high above the water, scanning for fish and carrion with their keen eyesight. During the peak of winter, the sea ice drifts south from Siberia, bringing with it a parade of eagles that gather to feed on the abundance of fish in the icy waters.
In addition to Shiretoko, the Nemuro Peninsula is another excellent eagle-watching destination, with a slightly less touristy atmosphere but just as many opportunities to see these magnificent birds in action. Wherever they are, Steller’s sea eagles prefer places where they can fish in peace, with tall trees or rocky outcrops to perch on between meals.
Best Places to See Them: Shiretoko and Winter Cruises
For the best chance of seeing Steller’s sea eagles in their full glory, winter is the time to visit Hokkaido. The Shiretoko Peninsula, particularly around the town of Rausu, is a prime spot for eagle-watching. Here, boat tours take visitors out onto the ice-strewn waters of the Nemuro Strait, where dozens of these enormous eagles can be seen perched on chunks of drift ice or circling overhead, waiting for a chance to hunt.
The sight of a Steller’s sea eagle perched majestically on a block of sea ice, its dark plumage contrasting with the brilliant white of the ice and snow, is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic winter scenes. And when the eagles take to the air, their sheer size and power are awe-inspiring. Watching one swoop down to grab a fish or engage in an aerial skirmish with another eagle is nothing short of spectacular.
Another excellent viewing opportunity is the Furen Lake area near Nemuro, where winter feeding stations are sometimes set up to attract eagles. Here, visitors can observe the eagles at close range as they gather to feast on fish, providing incredible photographic opportunities.
The Steller’s Sea Eagle vs. White-Tailed Eagle Showdown
Hokkaido is one of the few places in the world where two of the largest eagles—the Steller’s sea eagle and the white-tailed eagle—share the same habitat. While they often coexist peacefully, feeding from the same rivers and hunting grounds, things can get tense when food is scarce.
Steller’s sea eagles, being the larger of the two, generally have the upper hand in these encounters, and it’s not uncommon to see them bullying their smaller cousins out of a meal. With their massive size and formidable beaks, Steller’s sea eagles can easily chase off white-tailed eagles or other birds of prey that might try to poach their fish. These aerial skirmishes can be quite dramatic, with both species engaging in mid-air acrobatics, locking talons, and diving toward the water in pursuit of food.
For wildlife enthusiasts, witnessing one of these epic showdowns is a real treat. The raw power and grace of these birds, combined with the stark beauty of Hokkaido’s winter landscape, make for an unforgettable experience.
Breeding and Nesting: Raising Giants of the Sky
Steller’s sea eagles breed in the remote regions of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands, as well as parts of northeastern China. They typically return to the same nesting sites each year, building enormous nests in tall trees or on cliff edges overlooking rivers or the sea. These nests, known as eyries, are built from sticks and branches and can be up to 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter—large enough to support the eagle’s massive frame.
The breeding season begins in late winter, with the female laying one to three eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after about six weeks. Steller’s sea eagles are devoted parents, working together to care for their chicks, which fledge after about 10 to 12 weeks.
Raising a chick is no easy task—young eagles require a constant supply of food, and the parents must work tirelessly to provide enough fish to keep their rapidly growing offspring fed. Once the chicks are strong enough to fly, they remain with their parents for several months, learning the ins and outs of hunting before they venture out on their own.
Conservation: Protecting the Giants of the Sky
Steller’s sea eagles are currently listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, with a global population of fewer than 5,000 individuals. While their numbers are relatively stable, they face ongoing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, particularly in their breeding and wintering grounds.
One of the biggest concerns is lead poisoning, which occurs when eagles ingest lead fragments from carcasses or fish left behind by hunters. Efforts are underway to reduce the use of lead ammunition in areas where eagles are known to feed, and conservationists are working to protect critical habitats for both breeding and wintering populations.
In Hokkaido, ecotourism plays a role in raising awareness about these magnificent birds. Winter boat tours and eagle-watching excursions not only give visitors the chance to witness the Steller’s sea eagle in its natural habitat but also support conservation efforts by promoting sustainable wildlife tourism.
Cultural Significance: The Eagle as a Symbol of Strength
In Russia and Japan, the Steller’s sea eagle has long been regarded as a symbol of strength, power, and resilience. In Japan, where it is known as “oo-washi” (meaning “large eagle”), the bird holds a special place in the cultural imagination, particularly in Hokkaido, where its winter presence has become a celebrated part of the island’s natural heritage.
For the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido, eagles are revered as spiritual beings, associated with wisdom and the natural world. While the Steller’s sea eagle doesn’t have the same deep cultural ties as the Hokkaido red fox or the Yezo brown bear, it is nonetheless a majestic symbol of the island’s wild beauty, embodying the raw power and untamed nature of Hokkaido’s winter landscape.
Final Thoughts: Encountering Hokkaido’s Sky King
There are few wildlife experiences as thrilling as watching a Steller’s sea eagle take flight over the frozen seas of Hokkaido. Whether perched on a block of sea ice, staring out over the icy expanse with its piercing yellow eyes, or soaring effortlessly through the sky with the mountains in the background, the Steller’s sea eagle is a true marvel of the natural world.
If you’re visiting Hokkaido in winter, don’t miss the chance to see these magnificent birds in action. Whether from the deck of a boat on the Shiretoko Peninsula or the shoreline of Nemuro, the sight of a Steller’s sea eagle soaring against a backdrop of ice and snow is one that will stay with you long after the chill has left your bones.
So, bundle up, bring your binoculars, and prepare to be awed—because when it comes to Steller’s sea eagle, “majestic” doesn’t quite do justice to the sight of this colossal king of the skies.