A New Bird in Town (Photo Gallery)

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo recently added a Steller's sea eagle to its bird of prey collection. The newest raptor, a female, has been stunning Zoo visitors and staff alike for a little over a week. She joins two other species in residence along Waterfowl Lake: Andean condors and cinereous vultures.
The newest bird to land at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a six-year-old female Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). On loan from the Cincinnati Zoo, the magnificent raptor, one of the largest in the world, can be seen in the flight cages along Waterfowl Lake. Her most striking characteristics are a large yellow beak and yellow talons.

Steller's sea eagles are native to the Siberian coastline and northern islands of Japan. With less than 7,000 in the wild, their numbers are declining due to habitat loss, pollution and over-fishing. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is cooperating with zoos in North America and Europe to increase the captive population of Steller's sea eagles. In North American zoos, the species population stands at 16 individuals. The Zoo is likely to acquire a breeding male in the future.

The Zoo's Steller's sea eagle is a photographer's delight. She will often open her enormous wings and fly from perch to ground and back, exploring her surroundings in the process. I've watched her investigate the condors next door and walk along the ground as though she's stalking some unseen prey. I could watch her for hours. I took these shots last week:
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Comments

 
By: Dan J.
On: 07/01/2009 18:31:10
That is very cool news! I've seen the pair of Steller's sea eagles at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and they are really quite striking birds. I look forward to seeing our newest resident. Does she have a name?
 
By: Jungle Jeanne
On: 07/02/2009 08:55:07
Hi Dan! Thanks for the comment. We have not selected a name for her yet, but as soon as we name her, I'll post it. Hope you get a chance to see her soon.
 
By: Casey
On: 07/04/2009 11:59:08
She is beautiful. Like Dan said, she reminds me of Aleutia from the National Aviary. I can't wait to see her! I'm excited! They are such beautiful birds that not very many people know about.
 
By: Paula
On: 07/04/2009 18:15:02
Awesome shots Jeanne, I love the ones with her wings outstretched !! I'll have to try to get some shots of her this summer.
 
By: adrianne
On: 07/07/2009 12:58:20
That bird is so beautiful. I like the shots where it only shows its head. Its beak looks like a bald eagles beak. How many animals live in the zoo?
 
By: Cyndi
On: 07/13/2009 07:06:31
The cages seem so small for a bird so big...is there any chance that larger cages will be constructed in the future for these magnificent creatures so be able to use their wings and really fly like they were meant to. This is not a negative comment, just a question and and idea for future confines for these larger birds. I am concerned that they are not getting proper exercise and being able to really soar

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