Guest Author - Lisa Shea
There were many reports in October 2002 about a giant bird being sighted in Alaska, with a wingspan of 15' or more. Most now feel that bird was a Steller's Sea Eagle.
The 2002 Reports came from villagers and people in a plane who flew within 1000' of the bird. The sightings were all in southwestern Alaska. At the time, scientists guessed it could be a Steller's Sea Eagle, which normally grows to a wingspan of 8' or so.
In the year since those sightings, bush pilots have criss-crossed the area and birders from around the world have gone on specific quests to explore the region and look for any unusual birds. They did indeed see several sightings of the Steller's Sea Eagle - a bird usually found in Asia, but apparently one that has found a way to cross into Alaska.
In fact, Eskimo legends tell of a large bird called tengmiarpak that lived in the mountains. It is likely that this large bird of legend is also the Steller's Sea Eagle.
If you're interested in adding your own binoculars to the quest, just about any lodge in southwestern Alaska can hook you up with a plane or hiking guide. While the bird or birds sighted are only in the 8' range, that's still rather large!
Steller's Sea Eagle Photos
