Today’s good news story is taken from the Good News Network about the sighting of a bird not typically seen in the US. Here’s the story in its entirety. Thanks to the Good News Network.
The Steller’s sea eagle. It’s ripped, royal, and rare. To see the world’s heaviest eagle, with its eight-foot wingspan, an American would typically have to visit Korea, Japan, or eastern Russia. Never had one of the sea eagles ever been spotted in the lower 48 states—until now.
Five days before Christmas, one of the majestic birds flew into Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and it’s pulling birdwatchers from all over the east coast to see it.
Members of the Massachusetts Audubon Society first spotted the raptor known for its huge golden bill.
NPR reports that the unique tail feather arrangement suggests this is the same bird that was spotted in summer in Canada and Alaska. Straying outside of its native range, it’s known as a “vagrant.”
As of January 16th, the wayward bird was still in Maine, having first been documented as a vagrant in Alaska’s Denali National Park, 4,700 miles away, in August.
The chance to see this eagle would normally involve a plane ride anywhere from 6-12 hours and a passport, so the bird’s appearance in the US is pulling amateur ornithologists from their nests in places like New Jersey for a spontaneous road trip known as “chasing.”
When a rare species, especially a rare vagrant, is spotted, intrepid birders chase reported sightings around the region using apps like eBird, or through various Facebook groups.
John Putrillo recently photographed this celebrity bird of prey. His Instagram, Manbythesea, is now filled with beautiful images showcasing its dark brown feathers and a bill that’s built to tear fish like salmon into bitesize pieces.
The eagle has given Putrillo a new passion: “I want to learn about all bird species now,” he says. “I want to find every bird I can from the smallest to the largest.”
The good news here is at least some of the bird watchers in this country have a chance to see this magnificent bird. Today’s JohnKu talks about the miracles of nature. I hope you have a great weekend.
Nature by John W. Howell
A vagrant or not,
The Steller’s Sea Eagle is . . .
Nature’s miracle.
I am at Story Empire today in case you want to come over. I’m talking about things you can do if the desire to write is missing. HERE is the link.
Fiction Favorites 
How cool is this! You know, I believe because most of us see Eagles from such a distance, we are not quite prepared to realize just how big they are. Lovely tribute poem there, John.
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Thank you, Annette. I realized when I found this story that I have never seen an eagle. Bucket list item. 😊
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What a long, strange trip it’s been for the guy. And everyone who gets to see him live is all the better because of it. Great story, Boss.
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I agree. I for one have never seen an eagle. Gotta correct that for sure Have a great weekend, pilgrim.
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Only in captivity, which is not the same.
You too Sheriff
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😁
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Thanks for another uplifting Friyay, John. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. You as well. 😊
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I’m taking this as a sign, John. What a great story!
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I just realized I have never seen an eagle. I have to put that on my post Covid list.
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We’ve been fortune to see two during the time in our current home. They’re incredible to see in the wild.
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That’s amazing, John. Recently, my husband was excited about seeing a Bald Eagle near the Mississippi River in Tennessee!
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Wow. I can imagine. I have never seen one. I hope to one day.
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We saw a lot of them in Alaska but I’ve not seen one in our area. They do winter in this area and have been spotted nearby.
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I would hope to see one.Maybe some day.
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An eight-foot wingspan!! What a sight that must be to watch him in flight.
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I can’t even imagine that, Liz. I have never seen an eagle, so I would probably faint. 😁
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We see eagles around here from time to time, but they’re much smaller than this fellow.
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Yes he is a big boy. 😁
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The eagle’s magnificent, and the behavior of birders predictable. I know someone who’s spent three years trying to spot the snowy owl that’s reported in his part of Kansas now and then. When he gets a report, it’s into the car and onto the roads, fingers crossed. As he says with a grin, “At least it keeps me out of the bars.”
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I think that is a good reason to write as well. I hope he get to see the owl. I have never seen an eagle so I hope to do that too. Thanks, Linda.
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I’m surprised this wasn’t on the west coast somewhere. Sounds like he was just passing through that country. Maine is about as far from home as he could get. We have a pair of these at the Boise Zoo. I made a special trip to see them and they’re incredible.
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What a sight that must be. I have never seen an eagle and hope to do so someday. 😁
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We get both North American versions in Boise. Saw a pair of bald eagles the day my father passed.
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I remember.
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Wow! That really is amazing. Makes you wonder what causes a bird to become a vagrant in the first place. He is a loooong way from home (lucky for those birdwatchers ables to capture him). Lovely share. Thank you.
Happy Friday to you!
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I think he was looking for a girlfriend and didn’t pay attention to the GPS. It does happen. Thanks, Dale. 😁
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Tee hee… Poor bugger…
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😁
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😉
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That is outstanding, but I wonder, why?
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Got me. He is a long way from home.
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Very cool. Saw two in the Syracuse zoo last year. Didn’t realize they were that rare in the United States.
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Wow. I have never seen an eagle in the wild. I hope to.
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I’ve seen bald eagles in the wild when in Alaska. Hawks and falcons are the only raptors around here.
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We very seldom see a hawk.
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Miracles are all around us. I’m glad this one got seen.
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It is a mircle for sure. I’m glad too.😁
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An eight foot wingspan – wow! And what a trip he must have had.
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I know right? Flying all that way must have been exhausting.
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I’ve seen eagles, and it’s amazing how quickly they can draw a crowd. A road trip from NJ seems daunting, but probably worth it for a birder.
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To a birder not having to go to Korea or Russia the NJ to Maine trip looks like a bargain.
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How odd for this bird to show up in the U.S. at a time when we need strength more than ever. And since the Eagle is our symbol of freedom, I can easily see the significance of its appearance. What a great story to share, John, and love the JohnKu!
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I think you are right about the need for a symbol of freedom. It is especially meaningful since the bird probably came from Russia. Thanks for the comment.
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Wow! That’s a magnificent bird.
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It sure is. Thanks, Tim
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A miracle for sure! I love watching eagles. When I took a boat excursion off Seward, AK, I saw hundreds. Absolutely awe-inspiring. 💗
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Lucky you. I have never seen an eagle. 😊
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We don’t have to be birders to appreciate this story. However it does not hurt. And were it not for some birder there would be no story. Happy Friday John.
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Too bad we can’t say that without this story there would be no birder. Not a two way situation.
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What an exciting sighting!! It’s a bit too far for me at the moment, but oh, how I would love to go and see it!
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Beautiful bird and I’d be thrilled to see this vagrant 🙂
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Me too. I have never seen an eagle in the wild.
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One fly over us in Alaska…it was amazing
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I’m so envious. Thanks, Denise
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Ripped, royal and rare….like it!
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Describes the eagle completely. Thank you for the comment, Chris.
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O!M!G!
I feel like crying… or laughing… I’m not sure.
There is a hefty emotion in knowing that this bird is here.
Why is it a vagrant? With all those bird people out there watching and caring, we might find out one day.
An 8 ft. wing span is bigger than some of my friends bedrooms.
Good reporting, John!
Your JohnKu is fab
I wish the magnificent bird could know about it!
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He’ll just have to remain in the dark about the stories about him. Thanks, Resa.
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He looks a tad grumpy, lol. Most eagles mate for life, maybe that’s the issue? 🙂
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I would suspect something like that. Thanks, Jacquie.
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Wow! It’s almost cartoonish. My parents were both avid birdwatchers. I used to go with my dad and was the recorder on many bird counts with him. We’d go out to these rural areas and stop every couple of miles. He had 60 seconds to identify birds, and I’d mark them on his checklist as he called them out.
We have steller’s jays around us. They aren’t rare, though. Very typical jay behavior—pretty, loud, and obnoxious. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
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Love Jays. Thanks for the video.
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Sorry. Thanks for the Information not video.
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Oh wow … a great story even on Saturday!!! Never seen or heard of one of these guys. What a beak! The Jimmy Durante of eagles? I’ve seen two species of eagles in the wild – and they are impressive birds. Good find, John … have a good weekend.
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You as well, Frank. I have not seen an eagle in the wild.
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Great story, John. I would like to see this bird, but I don’t think I’ll be traveling. Did you know that the Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up Feb 18-21? I participated in it last year for the first time and it was a lot of fun. We don’t get big birds like this vagrant in our backyard, but I was surprised by how many different birds I saw. I like your JohnKu too 🙂
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I remember from last year. Fun time.
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When I finished reading “The Story of Doctor Dolittle” to my preschoolers, one of the eagles that went to search for the boy’s uncle was a sea eagle. We had to look it up and see photos. What a beautiful bird, and what a great story!
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So this bird is not new to you and your class.
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That’s right. Doctor Dolittle lived in England, so perhaps the bird was more common there.
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If it has wings, I’m there. 🙂
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Me too. 😁
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Nice one
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Thank you.
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