White-tailed Eagle Bird Details
Haliaeetus albicilla
White-tailed Eagle,Sea Eagle, Grey Eagle, white-tailed sea-eagle, erne, Eurasian sea eagle;
Safed-Panje Ki Chil
Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Accipitriformes (HAWKS, EAGLES and KITES)
Accipitridae
Haliaeetus
- Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Germany, Poland, and parts of the UK.
- Asia (Kazakhstan and Mongolia, India(Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh).
Appearance :
Adults have a dark brown body with a distinctive white tail, which gives the species its name. They have a large, yellow beak and pale yellow eyes. Juveniles are darker and lack the white tail until they mature.
Behaviour :
Diurnal (active during the day). Typically solitary or found in pairs; they may gather in groups in areas with abundant food sources.
Habitat :
Coastal areas, lakes, rivers, and wetlands with abundant fish populations. They prefer areas with large trees for nesting.
Diet :
Fish, waterfowl, and small mammals. They are opportunistic feeders and may scavenge as well. They hunt from perches or in flight, diving down to catch prey.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Found across Europe and parts of Asia, especially in northern and eastern regions.
Population Size :
Approximately 30,000 to 50,000 individuals, but this can vary by region.
Life Span :
Can live up to 20 to 25 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The White-tailed Eagle has a robust, large body well-adapted for hunting and soaring over large bodies of water.
- Tarsus Length: Approximately 10 to 12 cm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: The head is large and rounded, with a prominent beak and striking pale eyes.
- Bill: The bill is powerful and hooked, suited for tearing flesh.
- Bill Length: Approximately 6 to 8 cm.
Length :
Typically ranges from 66 to 94 cm (26 to 37 inches).
Neck :
The neck is thick and strong, providing support for the large head.
Size :
A large eagle.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is broad and wedge-shaped, which is characteristic of the species.
- Tail Length: About 25 to 30 cm.
- Feathers: Feathers are dense and waterproof, with a dark brown plumage in adults and paler shades in juveniles. The adult plumage is marked by a striking white tail.
Weight :
Weighs between 3 to 6.5 kg (6.6 to 14.3 lbs)
Wing :
The wings are broad and long, which aids in soaring and gliding over water bodies.
Wing Span :
Wingspan can range from 1.8 to 2.4 meters (5.9 to 7.9 feet).
Facial Feature :
The face is prominent, with a large, hooked beak and striking yellow eyes, giving it a fierce appearance.
Nest Details :
- Nest: White-tailed Eagles build large, bulky nests located high in trees, on cliffs, or sometimes on the ground near water bodies.
- Nest Made Up Of: Nests are constructed using large sticks, branches, and other vegetation, often lined with softer materials like moss, grass, and feathers.
Breeding Season :
Often starting in January and extending into March.
Nesting Season :
Typically nests from February to May.
Egg Color :
Eggs are usually pale bluish or greenish in color, with some variations.
Egg Length :
Approximately 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 inches).
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 inches).
- Egg Weight: Approximately 150 to 200 grams (5.3 to 7 oz) per egg.
Clutch Size :
Typically consists of 1 to 3 eggs, although 4 eggs can occasionally occur.
No. of Broods :
Usually, there is one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
Lasts about 35 to 40 days.
Nestling Period :
oung eagles fledge approximately 70 to 85 days after hatching.
Vocalization :
Vocalizations consist of a variety of sounds, including high-pitched whistles, chattering, and barking calls.
Sex Demorphism :
Females are typically larger than males.
Migration Details :
Migration Pattern: While some populations are resident, others are migratory, particularly those in northern regions that may migrate to milder areas in winter.
Migration Period: Migratory populations often leave breeding grounds in late autumn (September to October) and return in early spring (March to April).
Migration Route: Migrating birds may follow coastlines, rivers, and lakes, using these natural pathways to travel between their breeding and wintering grounds.