Grey-headed Fish Eagle

1. Bird Name
The bird of interest in this profile is known as the Grey-headed Fish Eagle. Its scientific name is Haliaeetus ichthyaetus.

2. Appearance
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a large-sized bird species characterized by its contrasting coloration. It boasts unique tawny-brown upperparts, specifically its wings, back, and upper breast display this ochre color. It aptly gets its name from its gray head and neck, a striking feature that sets it apart from other eagle species. Its beak is robust, hooked, and dark yellow providing a stark contrast to its body. Its eyes, like the beak, are also a striking yellow. The Grey-headed Fish Eagle’s underparts are pale and its long tail is white with a black terminal band. The feathers offer a sleek and somewhat smooth texture. There are no significant differences between males and females in appearance.

3. Size
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle attains an average length of about 70-75 cm (27-30 in.), with females typically being slightly larger than males. It has a broad wingspan ranging from 165-185 cm (65-73 in.). The average weight of this species falls between 2.1-3.4 kg.

4. Habitat & Distribution
This eagle species is widely distributed through southern Asia. One can spot these birds in regions from Nepal and northeastern India through to Southeast Asia such as Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, typically perched high in trees overlooking bodies of water. They prefer riparian and wetland habitats, especially near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers with dense, tall emergent vegetation where food availability is high.

5. Interesting Facts
One fascinating fact about the Grey-headed Fish Eagle is its impeccable hunting skill. It primarily feeds during the morning hours, soaring high and then swooping down precisely to catch its prey. Culturally, it’s regarded as a symbol of power and freedom in some Asian communities. Another engaging fact is their long-standing pair bonds. These eagles are known for their monogamous behavior, maintaining one mate for life and sharing parenting duties equally.

6. Diet
The diet of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle, as suggested by its name, is predominantly piscivorous. It largely feeds on fish but is also known to consume water snakes, terrapins and, occasionally, water birds.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Contrary to their fierce and formidable appearance, these birds are typically silent and reserved, only vocalizing during the breeding season. When they do communicate, their calls are a series of ‘kluee-wip-wip-wip-wip’ or ‘kleeer’ sounds. One unique behavior is their mating display, which includes circling flights by the male above the female, followed by swoops and dives.

8. Conservation Status
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is currently listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List due to declining population trends caused primarily by habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, these eagles have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, the Grey-headed Fish Eagle is known as ‘Macha Kite’ in Nepal, ‘Haliaeetus’ in Thailand, and ‘Langubin Banjar’ in Malaysia. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling fish and small mammal populations. This avian species’ interaction with humans typically remains limited, as it tends to avoid densely populated areas. However, it has a significant spiritual and cultural value in some indigenous communities, contributing symbolically to local folklore and tradition.