Species Profile
White-tailed Sea-eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
White-tailed Eagle
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Sea Eagle, Erne, White-tailed Eagle, White-tailed Sea Eagle, European Sea Eagle
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Appearance
The White-tailed Eagle is a massive raptor with a broad wingspan and a large, powerful beak. Adults have dark brown plumage with a pale head and neck, contrasting with their namesake white tail. Their yellow beak and eyes stand out against their lighter head.
Females are significantly larger than males but otherwise difficult to distinguish. Juveniles are darker overall, lacking the pale head and white tail of adults. They gradually acquire adult plumage over 5-6 years, with the tail whitening last.
In flight, their broad, plank-like wings and short, wedge-shaped tail are distinctive.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Yellow
- Legs
- Yellow
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
White-tailed Eagles inhabit coastal areas, large lakes, and river valleys across a vast range from Greenland to Japan. They prefer areas with tall trees or cliffs for nesting and near productive waters for hunting.
In Europe, they range from Norway to Russia, with reintroduced populations in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England. Some northern populations migrate south in winter, while others remain resident year-round, depending on food availability.
They've recently been re-introduced to the Isle of Wight, but otherwise, the best areas are in Scotland and include The Isle of Mull, Isle of Skye, and Lock Sunart.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Diet
These eagles are opportunistic predators and scavengers. Their diet primarily consists of fish, waterfowl, and seabirds, but they also take small mammals and carrion. They often hunt by flying low over water, snatching fish from the surface with their powerful talons.
They also hunt water birds and seabirds, either in flight or on the water. Eggs and chicks are taken in the breeding season, and they will also steal the prey from other fishing birds like the Osprey and Heron.
Behaviour
White-tailed Eagles are often seen perched prominently on coastal cliffs or tall trees, scanning for prey. They are powerful fliers, capable of soaring for hours on thermal currents.
During courtship, pairs perform spectacular aerial displays, including talon-grappling and cartwheeling through the air.
Calls & Sounds
White-tailed Eagles have a range of vocalizations but are generally quiet outside the breeding season. Their most common call is a series of yelping or barking sounds, described as 'kya-kya-kya' or 'gak-gak-gak'. During courtship, they produce softer, mewing calls.
Males and females produce different notes, and the female has a deeper voice. Apart from courtship, these birds also call in alarm or warning if their nest is approached.
Nesting & Breeding
White-tailed Eagles form monogamous pairs and often mate for life. Breeding begins in late winter, with elaborate aerial displays strengthening the pair bond.
Nests are massive structures of sticks built in tall trees or on cliff ledges. They are reused and added to each year, potentially reaching 2 meters wide. Females typically lay 1-3 eggs, which are plain white.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 38 days. Chicks fledge after 10-11 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for several months, often staying in family groups until the next breeding season.
Conservation
White-tailed Eagles have recovered significantly from near-extinction in much of Europe due to intensive conservation efforts.
Reintroduction programmes, particularly in the UK and Ireland, have been successful. However, they still face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and illegal persecution in some areas.
Elevation
Sea level to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Adult White-tailed Eagles have few natural predators. Eggs and chicks may be vulnerable to other large raptors, corvids, and mammalian predators like pine martens.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them near large bodies of water, especially coastal areas and inland lakes.
- Scan tall trees and cliffs for perched birds.
- Watch for their distinctive silhouette in flight: broad wings held flat and a short, wedge-shaped tail.
- In the UK, Scotland's west coast and islands are prime viewing locations.
- Be patient and use a spotting scope for distant observations.
- The White-tailed Eagle is only likely to be confused with the Buzzard and the Golden Eagle. Buzzards are much smaller birds, with five (not six or seven) prominent primary feathers visible at the end of each wing when soaring. The Golden Eagle is very similar-sized but more shapely and longer-tailed in flight and shows a much smaller head when perched.
Did You Know?
- White-tailed Eagles can live for over 25 years in the wild, with the oldest recorded individual reaching 36 years.
- Their nests are among the largest of any bird, sometimes weighing over a tonne.
- They can carry prey weighing up to 6-8 kg, though they typically take smaller items.
- Skye and Frisa are a pair of eagles that demonstrate the devotion of their species. These two birds are the oldest White-tailed Eagle couple in the United Kingdom and have been together since 1997!
- They are the largest raptor found in the UK.
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