Escaped Steller’s sea eagle, Kody, spotted near Pittsburgh's North Park

The National Aviary in Pittsburgh said Friday that it is getting closer to capturing Kody, the Steller’s sea eagle that escaped from an outdoor enclosure last week.

Kody, short for Kodiak, was spotted Thursday in the North Park area.

Aviary staff, including the executive director and animal care experts, camped out overnight near North Park to watch and monitor the bird.

They were able to confirm that Kody is still in excellent health and body condition, said Molly Toth, Aviary spokeswoman. Kody escaped on Sept. 25.

The Aviary team put out food to encourage Kody to fly towards them, but he didn’t take it. He was last seen flying toward North Park on Friday.

“Our team was able to identify and find Kody’s location, where he was roosting at the highest point of one of the tallest trees,” Toth said.

Update 2pm:The National Aviary in Pittsburgh continues to get closer in our efforts to bringing Kody home. Thanks to Kody sighting in the North Park area, our team was able to identify & find Kody’s location, where he was roosting at the highest point of one of the tallest trees.

— National Aviary (@National_Aviary) October 1, 2021

Given the closeness of capturing the bird, Aviary personnel are more hopeful that they will catch him soon.

Officials credited the public with helping them find the bird.

The public needs to continue to look for Kody and call the aviary with sightings.

“Kody is spending time between North Park and Riverview Park, and may return to North Side areas,” Toth said. The National Aviary is located in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

The Steller’s sea eagle is among the largest in the world. It is native to coastal northeastern Asia and mainly feeds on fish and water birds.

It is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s threatened-species list.

If you sight Kody, call 412-323-7235. Do not approach the bird or make any loud noises or sudden movements to cause him to fly, officials said.