The w

3/6

4/6

5/6

6/6

1/6

2/6

Slideshow

All 25 photos

All 6 videos Users photos

White-bellied sea-eagle fact file

Description Biology Range Habitat Status Threats Conservation Find out more Glossary References Print factsheet
Top

Description
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata

Class Order Family Genus

Aves Falconiformes Accipitridae Haliaeetus (1)

A relatively large and slender eagle (2) (4) (5) (7), the white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is a grey and white bird of prey (4) (5) with long, broad wings and a short, wedge- or diamond-shaped tail (2) (3) (4). The head, neck and underparts of this impressive species are white, whereas the back and upper surface of the black-tipped wings are grey (2) (3) (4) (5) (8). The white-bellied sea eagles tail has a grey or blackish base (3) (4) (8) (9) and a white tip (4). The white-bellied sea eagles large, hooked beak (8) (10) is bluish-grey, grey or dark grey (4) (8) (9) and has a blackish tip (4). The patch of skin at the base of the beak, which is known as the cere, is light bluishgrey to dark grey (5) (9), and the eyes are brown (5) (8). White or cream-coloured legs and feet (2) (5), which are distinctly unfeathered on the lower portion (5) (9), give way to black talons (8). Male and female white-bellied sea eagles are similar in appearance, although females tend to be larger than males (4). However, juveniles of this species look quite different from the adults, with their colouration gradually changing over the first few years as they complete several moults, becoming increasingly paler until they attain the adult colouration (2) (3) (4) (5). Young white-bellied sea eagles are dark brown on the upperparts, which are patterned with creamy markings (3) (4). The head, neck and underparts have a creamy or buffish colouration (3) (4), and the underwings have a large, pale patch or panel across the base of the primary feathers(3) (5). Unlike that of the adult, the juvenile white-bellied sea eagles tail is whitish with a broad brownish band on the tip (2) (3) (5). The cere, legs and feet are similar in colour to those of the adult bird (2) (5). Sometimes soaring to great heights (9), the white-bellied sea eagle is known to glide with its wings held in a stiff V shape (2) (3) (9) (10) (11). This species flies with strong wingbeats (9) described as being like a powerful rowing action (5). At rest, the white-bellied fish eagle perches upright on bare branches close to water (9). The white-bellied sea eagle has a very distinctive call, which has been described as being a loud, goose-like honk or cackle (3) (5) (7) (10) (12). This species is particularly noisy around the nesting site during the breeding season (7)(9), and juvenile white-bellied sea eagles begging for food add to the noise by giving a prolonged yelping or wailing cry (5).

Also known as Australian white-bellied sea eagle, white-bellied fish-eagle, white-bellied sea-eagle, whitebreasted fish-hawk, white-breasted sea-eagle. hite-bellied sea eagle occurs in South and Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia (4) (11) (13) (14). Its distribution stretches from India and Sri Lanka east to southern China and then southwards through Thailand, Vietnam, the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines to Australia (4) (9) (13) (15). This species has also been recorded as a vagrant on Christmas Island and in Taiwan (13). In Australia, the white-bellied sea eagle can be found along the coastline of mainland Australia, as well as in Tasmania and on some offshore islands (4) (15), including Barrow Island (8). In certain parts of Australia, particularly in the east, this species is also known to be found inland along some of the larger waterways (4). Breeding in the white-bellied sea eagle is known to only occur in a relatively small area of its range, in a patchy distribution along the coastline from Queensland to Victoria and to Tasmania. Some breeding has also been noted at sites further inland, such as around the Murray Rive he white-bellied sea eagle is generally found in coastal habitats (2) (3) (4) (5) (9) (15), including offshore islands (4)(8). However, it is also known to occur further inland along rivers, lakes, reservoirs and estuaries (2) (10) (11) (15), as well as on lagoons (4) (9). Although the white-bellied sea eagle is usually seen in coastal lowlands (4), it has been recorded at elevations of up to 1,400 metres in some areas of its range (3) (4). Despite its preference for coastal and wetland areas, the white-bellied sea eagle is also found in grassland, heathland, woodland, forested and, occasionally, urban areas (4). The breeding habitat of the white-bellied sea eagle, which can be at the coast, further inland or on offshore islands, is generally tall, open forest close to water, although nests have sometimes been found in rainforest or in remnant trees on cleared land (4).