White-Bellied Sea-Eagle
Other name: White-Breasted Sea-Eagle. A very large white and grey eagle with un-feathered legs and feet. Their size being 70-90cm and wing span 2 meters. The female is larger. It soars in majestic circles with its broad, upswept wings and short white tail dark at the base gives it the look of a huge butterfly the under wings divide into white and blackish triangles This one was circling very high up so my telescopic lens was stretched to the limit to capture this grand eagle. Juveniles 1st year their head is bluish and spiky, contrasting with patchy cream and dark brown body and wings, underwing pattern is also also patchy. Their second and third year their plumage is still developing to adult stage. White-Bellied Sea-Eagle
They as singles, territorial pairs, family parties watch from large trees over coasts, rivers and lake shores. Unlike the Eastern Osprey they seldom enter water. They make a sloping power dive from a height to seize fish, waterbird or Offal from the surface
Their voice is far-carrying metallic clanking; mating pairs duet. Their habitat is coasts, islands, Estuaries; Inlets; large rivers; inland lakes and Reservoirs
They breed from May-August in northern Australia and June-Dec in the south. Their nests are huge made of sticks in tall live trees near water and on the ground on islands, remote coastal cliffs. The female will lay 2 eggs. White-Bellied Sea-Eagle