White-bellied Sea Eagle

Overview

The White-bellied Sea Eagle is one of the largest raptors found in Australia and across coastal and wetland regions of South and Southeast Asia, often seen soaring on flat, slightly upswept wings over water in search of fish and other prey. Adults are unmistakable due to their striking white-and-grey pattern.

• Family: Accipitridae (eagles, hawks, and kites)
• Distribution: coastal Australia, New Guinea, and much of South and Southeast Asia
• Notable trait: distinctive wedge-shaped tail with a dark band

Feather Identification

Adult body and head feathers are clean white, contrasting sharply with grey upperwing coverts and darker grey-black flight feathers. The tail is wedge-shaped and mostly white with a dark band near the tip, visible when fanned in flight. The bill is large, grey, and hook-tipped, and the legs are feathered partway down before bare, pale legs and strong talons.

• Overall pattern: white head/body/tail against grey upperwings
• Key mark: wedge-shaped tail with a dark subterminal band
• Compare with: immature birds (mottled brown, lacking the clean white-and-grey adult pattern) and other large raptors sharing coastal habitat

Plumage

Adults show the striking white-and-grey pattern described above, with sexes similar though females are noticeably larger. Immatures are mostly mottled brown, gradually acquiring white on the head and underparts over several years before reaching full adult plumage. There is no seasonal plumage variation in adults.

Habitat & Range

This eagle is found along coastlines, estuaries, large rivers, and lakes across Australia, New Guinea, and much of South and Southeast Asia, generally remaining close to water. Most populations are resident, with pairs holding large territories around a stretch of coast or waterway for many years.

Behavior & Field Notes

White-bellied Sea Eagles hunt fish, waterbirds, and other prey, often taken from the water's surface in a shallow swoop, and will also scavenge. Pairs build large stick nests reused and added to over many years, typically in a tall tree or on a cliff near water. Calls are loud, goose-like honking notes, often given in flight or from a perch by a pair.

• Diet: fish, waterbirds, and other prey, plus carrion
• Voice: loud, honking calls, often duetted by a pair
• Field note: frequently seen soaring in high circles over coastal waters or perched prominently in tall waterside trees