White-bellied Sea Eagle

1. Bird Name
The bird under discussion is the White-bellied Sea Eagle. The scientific (Latin) name is Haliaeetus leucogaster.

2. Appearance
White-bellied Sea Eagles are large birds of prey. Adult birds have a white head, breast, and belly, and grey backs and wings. Their tails are wedge-shaped and white, while their beak is large, pale grey, and strong – made for catching their prey. They have dark eyes with keen vision. Pale, creamy streaks grace the juvenile eagle’s brown plumage. There is no observable difference in male and female appearances (sexual dimorphism) except for size; females tend to be larger than their male counterparts.

3. Size
This bird is quite impressive in size. Its length ranges between 70 cm and 90 cm (27.55 inches and 35.43 inches). The White-bellied Sea Eagle, fittingly, bears a wide wingspan varying between 1.8 to 2.2 meters (70.86- 86.61 inches). Typically, this bird weighs between 2.5-4.5 kilograms, with females typically being on the higher end of the scale.

4. Habitat & Distribution
These majestic birds are found across a broad geographic range stretching from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia. They prefer coastal areas but can also be found up to 10 kilometers inland alongside rivers, lakes, and large rainforest pools. White-bellied Sea Eagles are not migratory, often remaining within the same territory throughout the year.

5. Interesting Facts
The White-bellied Sea Eagle pairs for life, often renewing its bond with spectacular aerial displays. Cultural significance of this bird is quite profound, especially in Australia, where it’s known as a sacred bird to the Indigenous people and features in various mythologies and ceremonies. They are excellent swimmers and can often be seen catching fish from the water’s surface.

6. Diet
The preferred diet of White-bellied Sea Eagles is fish. Still, they demonstrate dietary versatility and will also consume birds, reptiles, and even mammals if readily available. Some have even been known to take carrion opportunistically.

7. Behavior & Sounds
These eagles are known to display fascinating behaviors. They perform intricate courtship displays which involve undulating flights, spectacular dives, and talon-grappling. They build their large stick nests high in trees with a good view of the water. Their call is a loud and goose-like honking “kleeer-kleeer-kleeer” or “gok-gok-gok.”

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the White-bellied Sea Eagle is currently classified as Least Concern. However, population trends are decreasing due to habitat loss and pollution in their environments.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, White-bellied Sea Eagles can live up to 30 years. In captivity, they have been known to live well into their forties due to the lack of natural threats and consistent food supply.

10. Additional Notes
In some of their territories, they are known as “Eagle of the Sun” due to their bright white underparts. These eagles are generally well-tolerated by human populations due to their preference for fish over land-based animals, although they are often seen as competitors by fishermen. They play an important role in their ecosystems as apex predators, controlling populations of mid-tier predators and scavenging carrion, thus aiding in nutrient recycling.