| Description |
very large, broad-winged bird; wedge-shaped tail; plumage mainly brown; adult has a pale head and white tail; head and beak larger than the golden eagle; eyes, beak, and talons bright yellow |
| Sex |
females larger than the males |
| Age |
20-25 year in the wild |
| Length |
27-36" |
| Wingspan |
6-8' |
| Weight |
9-12 lbs. |
| Habitat |
rocky coasts, but may also inhabit remote lakes and marshes further inland |
| Status |
driven to extinction in many parts of its former range; now listed as vulnerable to the point of extinction in the UK; globally, listed as Lower Risk; a reintroduction program in Scotland is slowly building up a population in that country |
| Range |
found across Europe; also inhabit parts of Asia |
| Behavior |
nesting behavior very similar to the bald eagle; large stick nests built in tall trees near water; new material added to the nest each year; nests can grow huge�¢??some as large as 6-8 feet across and 10-12 feet deep if the tree will support the weight; nest is lined with moss, seaweed or wool; 2 eggs are laid on average; incubation about 38 days; young leave the nest at about 90 days, remaining dependent on the parents for about a month longer |
| Diet |
primarily fish; also carrion, birds, mammals and reptiles; carrion is an important diet staple for a young sea eagles while he is learning to hunt |
| Vocalization |
various high pitched calls, as well as a low barking note |
| Other Information |
- The White-tailed Sea Eagle parallels the Bald Eagle in behavior, habits and lifestyle in almost all respects and occupies the same ecological niche in its range
- The White-tailed Sea Eagle is the fourth largest eagle in the world |
