29-3-2025 YALA NAT PARK, SRI LANKA - WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster), also known as the White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a majestic and large diurnal bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is characterized by its striking white head, breast, under-wing coverts, and tail, contrasting with its grey upper parts and black under-wing flight feathers. The tail is notably short and wedge-shaped, a common feature among Haliaeetinae species. Females are typically larger than males, reaching up to 90 cm in length, with a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters, and can weigh as much as 4.5 kg. Immature birds are cloaked in brown plumage, which gradually transitions to white over several years.

Adult White-bellied Sea Eagles are unmistakable with their white and grey plumage. The black flight feathers are prominent when viewed from below. The bill is a leaden blue-grey with a darker tip, and the eyes are dark brown. The legs and feet are yellow or grey with long black talons. Juveniles are predominantly brown with pale cream streaks on their head and neck, and their plumage slowly whitens with age.

This sea eagle is often found in coastal regions but can also be seen inland near large bodies of water. It prefers areas with tall trees or pylons for nesting, with a clear view of the surrounding landscape.

The species is widespread, ranging from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia. It is a common sight along coastlines and major waterways, and although generally sedentary, it can travel considerable distances.

24-3-2025 GAL OYA LAKE, SRI LANKA - WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster), also known as the White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a majestic and large diurnal bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is characterized by its striking white head, breast, under-wing coverts, and tail, contrasting with its grey upper parts and black under-wing flight feathers. The tail is notably short and wedge-shaped, a common feature among Haliaeetinae species. Females are typically larger than males, reaching up to 90 cm in length, with a wingspan of up to 2.2 meters, and can weigh as much as 4.5 kg. Immature birds are cloaked in brown plumage, which gradually transitions to white over several years.

Adult White-bellied Sea Eagles are unmistakable with their white and grey plumage. The black flight feathers are prominent when viewed from below. The bill is a leaden blue-grey with a darker tip, and the eyes are dark brown. The legs and feet are yellow or grey with long black talons. Juveniles are predominantly brown with pale cream streaks on their head and neck, and their plumage slowly whitens with age.

This sea eagle is often found in coastal regions but can also be seen inland near large bodies of water. It prefers areas with tall trees or pylons for nesting, with a clear view of the surrounding landscape.

The species is widespread, ranging from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia. It is a common sight along coastlines and major waterways, and although generally sedentary, it can travel considerable distances.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle is territorial and monogamous, with pairs often remaining together for life. They are known for their impressive aerial displays during courtship. These birds are most often seen perched high or soaring over waterways, and they are generally encountered singly or in pairs.

The call of the White-bellied Sea Eagle is a loud, goose-like honking, which is particularly prominent during the breeding season. Pairs may call in unison, with the male's call being higher-pitched and more rapid than the female's.

Breeding season varies by location, with courtship involving intricate aerial displays. Nests are large structures made of sticks and branches, often located in tall trees overlooking water. Typically, two eggs are laid, but it is common for only one chick to fledge successfully.

An opportunistic carnivore, the White-bellied Sea Eagle has a diverse diet that includes fish, turtles, snakes, birds, and mammals. It is a skilled hunter, often catching fish by flying low over the water and grasping them with its talons.

25-5-2023 SUKAU RIVER LODGE, BORNEO - WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the white-breasted sea eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it is closely related to Sanford's sea eagle of the Solomon Islands, and the two are considered a superspecies. A distinctive bird, the adult white-bellied sea eagle has a white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts. The tail is short and wedge-shaped as in all Haliaeetus species. Like many raptors, the female is larger than the male, and can measure up to 90 cm (35 in) long with a wingspan of up to 2.2 m (7.2 ft), and weigh 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). Immature birds have brown plumage, which is gradually replaced by white until the age of five or six years. The call is a loud goose-like honking.

Resident from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways, the white-bellied sea eagle breeds and hunts near water, and fish form around half of its diet. Opportunistic, it consumes carrion and a wide variety of animals.  

17-12-2015 LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA - WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is a large diurnal bird of prey. Originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it is closely related to Sanford's sea eagle of the Solomon Islands, and the two are considered superspecies. The White-bellied sea eagle is revered by indigenous people in many parts of Australia, and is the subject of various folk tales throughout its range.

The White-bellied sea eagle has a white head, rump and underparts, and dark or slate-grey back and wings. In flight, the black flight feathers on the wings are easily seen when the bird is viewed from below. The large, hooked bill is a leaden blue-grey with a darker tip, and the irides are dark brown. The cere is also lead grey. The legs and feet are yellow or grey, with long black talons (claws). Unlike those of eagles of the genus Aquila, the legs are not feathered. The sexes are similar but like many raptors, the female is larger than the male. A young White-bellied sea eagle in its first year is predominantly brown, with pale cream-streaked plumage on their head, neck, nape, and rump areas. The plumage becomes more infiltrated with white until it acquires the complete adult plumage by the fourth or fifth year.

White-bellied sea eagles are found regularly from Mumbai eastwards in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in southern Asia, through all of coastal Southeast Asia including Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Indochina, the main and offshore islands of the Philippines, and southern China including Hong Kong, Hainan, and Fuzhou, eastwards through New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, and Australia. In the northern Solomons, they are restricted to Nissan Island. These birds occur mainly in coastal areas, islands, and estuaries but also in large inland water bodies, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. They usually breed near the water with some forest cover or in rocky areas.

White-bellied sea eagles are generally territorial; some birds form permanent pairs that inhabit territories throughout the year, while others are nomadic. Immature birds are generally dispersive, with many moving over 50 km (31 mi) away from the area they were raised. These birds are diurnal and often seen perched high in a tree or soaring over waterways and adjacent land. They spend time singly or in pairs. Small groups of White-bellied sea eagles sometimes gather if there is a plentiful source of food such as a carcass or fish offal on a ship. A pair may cooperate to hunt. During hunting the bird prepares for the strike by holding its feet far forward (almost under its chin) and then strikes backward while simultaneously beating its wings to lift upwards. They often catch a fish by flying low over the water and grasping it in its talons. Generally, only one foot is used to seize prey. White-bellied sea eagles may also dive at a 45-degree angle from their perch and briefly submerge to catch fish near the water's surface. These large birds of prey have a loud goose-like honking call which is heard particularly during the breeding season; pairs often honk in unison and often carry on for some time when perched. The male's call is higher-pitched and more rapid than that of the female.