Haliaeetus albicilla
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.
Length
66cm to 94cm
Wingspan
180cm to 240cm
Weight
3kg to 6.9kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Yellow
Leg Colour
Yellow
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 1,500 meters
Temperate, Subarctic
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a White-tailed Sea-eagle. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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