White-tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
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Haliaeetus albicilla
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Mass
~5 kg
Habitat
Rocks and cliffs
Diet
Fish and aquatic animals
How to recognize it
The White-tailed Eagle gives the impression of a huge, calm hunter, with a heavy bill and a short wedge-shaped tail. Adults stand out by their pale head and neck against a brown body, and in flight the broad wings are held almost flat.
It often spends long hours perched and may seem in no hurry at all. In the breeding season it becomes more vocal, and pairs put on striking aerial displays, sometimes locking talons as they tumble together.
This eagle stays closely tied to water, using coasts, lakes, rivers, wetlands and broad floodplains. It feeds mainly on fish and other water-linked prey, but also takes carrion, and in colder months it shifts toward places where food is easiest to find.
Quick Facts
The White-tailed Eagle gives the impression of a huge, calm hunter, with a heavy bill and a short wedge-shaped tail. Adults stand out by their pale head and neck against a brown body, and in flight the broad wings are held almost flat.
It often spends long hours perched and may seem in no hurry at all. In the breeding season it becomes more vocal, and pairs put on striking aerial displays, sometimes locking talons as they tumble together.
This eagle stays closely tied to water, using coasts, lakes, rivers, wetlands and broad floodplains. It feeds mainly on fish and other water-linked prey, but also takes carrion, and in colder months it shifts toward places where food is easiest to find.
How to recognize it
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Haliaeetus albicilla Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — White-tailed eagle Encyclopedia article