Haliaeetus albicilla
The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), often referred to as the Sea Eagle, stands as Europe's largest avian apex predator, a truly magnificent bird of prey. Adults are characterized by their immense size, boasting a wingspan that can stretch up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and a body length of 70-92 cm (27-36 inches), weighing between 3-7 kg (6.6-15.4 lbs). Their plumage is predominantly dark brown, contrasted by a distinctly paler, often grayish-brown head and neck, a massive, bright yel...
These adaptable eagles primarily inhabit coasts, estuaries, large inland lakes, major rivers, and extensive wetlands, frequently utilizing mature forests or cliffs for nesting. They thrive from sea level up to moderate elevations wherever open water provides abundant food sources.
The White-tailed Eagle's diet is predominantly composed of fish, which they snatch from the water's surface, complemented by a wide array of water birds, small mammals, and carrion, reflecting their highly opportunistic feeding habits.
White-tailed Eagles are diurnal, spending their days soaring majestically on thermals, perching watchfully from prominent vantage points, and actively hunting. They typically roost communally or in pairs within tall, sheltered trees, particularly in winter. Their foraging strategy is highly oppor...
The White-tailed Eagle exhibits an extensive Holarctic distribution, spanning Eurasia from Greenland and Iceland in the west, across northern Europe, Russia, and East Asia, reaching as far as Japan and Korea. Breeding populations favor coastal regions, large inland freshwater bodies, and major ri...
Least Concern
- The White-tailed Eagle is the largest eagle in Europe, boasting a wingspan that can exceed 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). - Known colloquially as the "Flying Barn Door" due to its massive size and broad wings in flight. - Their massive nests, called eyries, can be used for over a hundred years by succe...