Icthyophaga sanfordi
The Sanford's Sea Eagle (*Icthyophaga sanfordi*) is a majestic raptor endemic to the Solomon Islands, distinguished by its impressive size, reaching 60-70 cm in length, with a wingspan of 165-185 cm, and weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 kg, with females typically larger. Adults exhibit a predominantly dark brown plumage, accented by a distinctive yellowish-white tail with a broad, dark terminal band, and a strikingly dark, almost blackish head and neck which contrasts with its bright yellow bill ...
Primarily inhabits coastal and lowland areas, including primary rainforests, mangroves, estuaries, and lagoons, often in close proximity to large rivers and lakes, up to elevations of approximately 1,500 meters.
Almost exclusively piscivorous, preying mainly on fish, but occasionally supplements its diet with marine snakes, crabs, small birds, or bats snatched from the forest canopy using aerial snatching or surface-feeding techniques.
A diurnal predator, the Sanford's Sea Eagle is frequently observed soaring high above the tropical canopy or perched strategically on prominent trees overlooking its aquatic hunting grounds. It primarily hunts fish by soaring over water, then making a shallow, swift dive to snatch prey from the s...
The Sanford's Sea Eagle is strictly endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, extending its range from Bougainville Island (politically part of Papua New Guinea but biogeographically part of the Solomons) southeastward through the main Solomon Islands chain to Makira (San Cristobal). Its distri...
Critically Endangered
- The Sanford's Sea Eagle is entirely endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, found nowhere else on Earth. - It is the largest raptor found within its limited range, despite being one of the smaller sea eagle species. - Its scientific name honors Dr. Leonard C. Sanford, an American ornitholog...