Thousands of miles from home and seemingly enjoying his vacation, a giant Asian bird with a wingspan of 8 feet has been reported flying around Massachusetts.
The Steller’s sea eagle is native to China, Japan, North Korea, Korea, and eastern Russia. In a Facebook post, the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said the bird was last spotted along the Taunton River, at least 5,000 miles from home.
Reports of this bird have been circulating since August 2020, when it was discovered in Alaska. Based on Smithsonian, the bird was later sighted in Texas and then on the east coast of Canada near Nova Scotia in November 2021.
This bird’s unique white wing markings make it easy to distinguish from other species.
As Alex Lees, a lecturer in conservation biology at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, told NPR, it’s likely the bird lost its way because of a physiological problem, “which could not turn off the dispersal instinct or not oriented. apparatus.”
Steller’s sea eagles and other large birds are known to go through a “roaming phase” early in life, Lees said, but that usually lasts less than a year. The fact that the Massachusetts spotted bird is still common in North America after more than a year may indicate a new permanent habitat.
“It may have to endure a perpetual roaming in search of a member of its species, remaining in suitable areas for months, but the desire to roam to find a mate can make it difficult to find a mate,” says Lees. it kept moving,” Lees said. “There is still a chance this individual will find its way back, but the longer it stays, the less likely it is.”
