Rare white-tailed eagle appears near Blagoveshchensky Bridge
A white-tailed eagle, Russia's largest bird of prey, was spotted in central St. Petersburg near the Blagoveshchensky Bridge. Its appearance in the city during winter is a rare event.
Apr 23, 2026 0
A white-tailed eagle, the country«s largest bird of prey, was observed in St. Petersburg near the Blagoveshchensky Bridge. Biologist Pavel Glazkov, author of the Telegram channel »Every Creature in Pairs«, reported this on February 3.
The video footage shows a family of white-tailed eagles being harassed by crows near the bridge.
«The eagle»s wingspan can reach up to 2.5 meters (approximately 8.2 feet). It is a professional fisherman, but in winter, the eagle can also feed on carrion,« said Glazkov.
These birds are usually found on the Gulf of Finland.
In recent years, white-tailed eagles have not migrated to warm regions for wintering, but in St. Petersburg, they are rarely seen during the cold season.
The bird gets its name from its snow-white tail, which appears by the age of three.
According to the biologist, the video most likely captured a family of eagles, with crows circling around them.
«Crows naturally hate any birds of prey — that»s why they pursue them both on the ice and in the sky,« concluded Pavel Glazkov.
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