The names suggested for the new female Steller’s sea eagle at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh have been narrowed down to four.
Members of the public can vote on the names – a $5 donation counts as five votes.
The final four names are – Aurora, Juneau, Sitka and Stella.
She arrived at the aviary a few months ago as a partner to the male, Kodiak, also called Kody. He has been at the aviary for 17 years.
She and Kody, the aviary said, “have continued to thrive and acclimate with one another.” They are in a public-facing habitat in The Charity Randall Foundation Eagle Hall.
“Steller’s sea eagles are magnificent birds, but their numbers in the wild are declining. AZA collaborative breeding programs ensure the entire Steller’s sea eagle population remains healthy and genetically diverse for the long-term future,” said Kurt Hundgen, senior director of animal care and conservation programs for the National Aviary.
“We are seeing positive signs that they are content and comfortable together. We hope this pair will raise chicks to boost the Steller’s sea eagle population.”
Kody is kind of well known. The “charismatic bird” accidentally got out of his habitat in 2021 and escaped. Because the community “was so instrumental in helping bring Kody home, we want the community to be involved with naming his potential new mate.”
The winning name will be announced at the end of September. The person that suggested the name will be given a chance to win an encounter with an owl or falcon at the National Aviary.
The final four names suggested by the animal care staff have different meanings.
- Aurora, the aviary said, is “An homage to the Aurora Borealis, or The Northern Lights. They can be seen in several locations around the world including Estonia, where she was hatched.”
- Juneau, the capital of Alaska
- Sitka, “A city on an island near Kodiak, Alaska – the inspiration for Kody’s name.”
- And, Stella, which refers to the name of the species
A donation of $5 equates to five votes while a donation of $10 is worth 12 votes.
The aviary’s newest seasonal theme, “Forests,” was inspired it said, by the natural habitat of the female Steller’s sea eagle.
“Guests will be transported to the dense greenery of North America and the steamy rainforests found around the globe without ever leaving Pittsburgh. Discover how apex predators, like Kody and his potential new mate, as well as raptors who migrate through Pennsylvania, like a Golden Eagle, help shape a forest habitat during the brand-new daily activity, ‘Eagles of the Forest Talk,’ included with admission.”
At the Tropical Rainforest, guests can see the Hyacinth Macaws perched in front of a 15-foot waterfall. At Canary’s Call, are “the National Aviary’s newest (and fluffiest) flock members: three adorable Crested Wood-partridge chicks, a species native to lowland rainforests.”
Add-on experiences include “feeding a Rainbow Lorikeet (a lesser-known forest bird), or witnessing a Bald Eagle fly overhead as it demonstrates its incredible ‘superpowers’ in the fan-favorite live immersive bird show, ‘Habitat Heroes’ presented by AAA Travel. Get even closer to birds in an Animal Encounter with a forest-favorite, such as an owl.”
Two upcoming special events are African Penguin Awareness Day (wear black and white) on Oct. 14 and the popular Owl-O-Ween, Oct. 21-22.
Parents and children admire the birds in front of the waterfall in the Tropical Rainforest at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Photo by Elliott Cramer and provided by the National Aviary)