White-tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 62 countries, weighing about 4.7 kg. The white-tailed eagle, sometimes known as the "sea eagle", is a large bird of prey, widely distributed across temperate Eurasia.
About the White-tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle, sometimes known as the "sea eagle", is a large bird of prey, widely distributed across temperate Eurasia. Like other eagles, it is a member of the family Accipitridae which also includes other diurnal raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers. One of up to eleven members in the genus Haliaeetus, which are commonly called sea eagles, it is also referred to as the white-tailed sea-eagle. Sometimes, it is known as the ern or erne, gray sea eagle and Eurasian sea eagle.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Given reasonable view, adult white-tailed eagles are difficult to mistake for any other bird. There are no other eagles with fully white tails in their range except for in the easternmost limits of their range, their cousins the bald eagle and Steller's sea eagle, which in adults are different in all other respects of plumage. Even in poor light, the bald species shows a sharp demarcation from white to dark brown whereas the colour contrast is far subtler in white-tailed eagles between their brown body (of a paler hue than that of a bald eagle) and buff-coloured head. Voice: The white-tailed eagle is considered a vocal bird of prey during the breeding season, although some authors consider their voice "not loud or impressive for the size of the bird". The male call is oft transcribed as gri-gri-gri or krick-krick-krick, while the female is a deeper gra-gra-gra-gra or krau-krau-krau-krau. These will increase in tempo and pitch, with about 15–30 calls in a sequence.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Albania.
When to see it
The White-tailed Eagle can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the White-tailed Eagle on live cams
- White-tailed Eagle Nest, DurbeDurbe, Latvia · Streaming now
- White-tailed Eagle Nest, PiotrkówPiotrków, Poland · Streaming now
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-tailed Eagle?
- Given reasonable view, adult white-tailed eagles are difficult to mistake for any other bird. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-tailed Eagle?
- The White-tailed Eagle is a huge sized bird weighing about 4.7 kg.
- Where can you see a White-tailed Eagle?
- The White-tailed Eagle occurs in 62 countries, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany and Poland.
- What birds look similar to a White-tailed Eagle?
- The White-tailed Eagle is most easily confused with the Steller's Sea Eagle, the Pallas's Fish Eagle and the Bald Eagle.
- Is the White-tailed Eagle endangered?
- The White-tailed Eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-tailed Eagle for real
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