Blain Harasymiw Logo
  • Japan Photography Workshops & Tours
  • Seasonal Workshops & Tours
  • 2026-2027 Japan Photography Workshops & Tours
  • Meet Blain
  • Testimonials
  • Galleries
  • Newsletter
  • Species Of Japan
  • Contact
MENU

Hokkaido, Japan’s Endemic Raptor - The White-tailed Eagle

Thursday, November 24, 2022 | By: Blain Harasymiw Photography

Share

The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is also known as the White-tailed sea eagle, Gray eagle, and Eurasian sea eagle is one raptor of many I photograph on my annual Hokkaido birding photo tour workshop.  The White-Tailed can be photographed all year round in Hokkaido, Japan as they are endemic to the region. They are the only species known to be more massive in dimension than the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), and the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). These eagles measure from 65-95cm in length with a wingspan of 170 cm to 260 cm (5 ft 5 to 8 ft 5 inches). It is said this raptor has the largest wingspan of any living eagle. The male and female are similar in coloring and appearance, and I usually tell them apart by their size in which females are generally about 30% heavier and about 15% greater in linear dimensions.  Their bill is massive and can be vibrant orange to dull in color, and it is razor-sharp to rip apart their prey in a hurry, and they can be an aggressive bird, who stand their ground against other raptors such as the Steller’s sea eagle, (Haliaeetus pelagicus), who migrate to Hokkaido for the winter. The adult white-tailed eagle is grayish mid-brown colored overall. The plumage is relatively uniform over most of the body and the wings, but the wing coverts are generally paler; the rest of their plumage is usually softer looking from the head, neck, and upper breast is often a desert dawn hue. But colors of the white-tailed eagle can easily range from bright, vibrant, beautiful colors to washed out and spotted. 

The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Hokkaido, Japan.

The White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), are said to have the largest wingspan of any raptor on this planet, and here is one example, this raptor I photographed on my annual Hokkaido photo tour.

The White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) Hokkaido, Japan.

I photographed this raptor while leading my annual Hokkaido photo tour, We were photographing from the deck of a ship in pack ice. And from this vantage point I was able to capture this beautiful and vibrant raptor from a viewpoint not often seen.

Most wildlife conservationists know that White-tailed eagles have the largest wingspan of any eagle, and I’ve seen countless up close and personal, so I believe it.  I have seen both White-tailed eagles and Steller’s sea eagles huddle on ice floes during periods of high wind and extreme cold to share warmth, but this camaraderie is always short-lived.  White-tailed eagles and Steller’s sea eagles are perpetually hunting in the pack ice for prey, and as soon as a fish is spotted by these birds of prey, the eagles that were once huddled for warmth become bitter enemies, exchanging angry barbs and slashes with their beaks and talons catching prey and then fighting even harder to preserve it from the other hunters on the pack ice.  Whether hunting for fish or other prey, huddling for warmth, or engaging in aerial combat with Steller’s sea eagles, White-tailed eagles make a breathtaking photographic subject, one I enjoy introducing to visiting local and international photographers.

 

The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.

This White-tailed eagle almost looks like it belongs in a prehistoric age. The lighting was perfect this day, and it was snowing. I took this shot, while leading my annual Hokkaido photo tour.

Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed eagles, on pack ice, I took this image in Hokkaido, Japan.

There is always calm between the Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed eagles, until one spots fish, and everyone can go for the fish at the same time. I took this while leading my annual Hokkaido birding tour.

Photograph White-tailed Eagles and Steller’s Sea Eagles in Hokkaido with me.  One Seat Open for 2023!
Previous Post Next Post

Archive

Go

TOURS

JAPAN PHOTO TOURS SEASONAL TOURS JAPAN DREAMSCAPES AFFILIATE  

SOCIAL

BLOG CONTACT  

OTHER PAGES

GALLERIES MEET BLAIN VIDEO SPECIES OF JAPAN AFFILIATES Friends Showcase  

HEAD OFFICE

7-11-10 Wakabadai Sagamihara-Shi Kanagawa 252-0112 Japan  
© Blain Harasymiw Photography
Copyrights/Credits
Crafted by PhotoBiz
Blain Harasymiw Logo
CLOSE
  • Japan Photography Workshops & Tours
  • Seasonal Workshops & Tours
  • 2026-2027 Japan Photography Workshops & Tours
  • Meet Blain
  • Testimonials
  • Galleries
  • Newsletter
  • Species Of Japan
  • Contact