
White-tailed Eagle
White-tailed Eagle
White-tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle, a magnificent eagle that soars gracefully across the skies of Eurasia. True to its name, its white tail feathers are a distinctive feature. Once facing a decline in numbers and concerns about extinction, conservation efforts have brought back their majestic presence. Let's explore the powerful ecology of the white-tailed eagle and the rich natural environment they inhabit!
White-tailed Eagle Basic Infomation

Property | Value |
---|---|
Scientific Name | Haliaeetus albicilla |
Taxonomic Status | Least Concern (LC) |
Rank | SPECIES |
Vernacular Names | White-tailed Eagle |
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Accipitriformes |
Family | Accipitridae |
Genus | Haliaeetus |
Habitats | Waterside areas along coasts, lakes, and rivers |
Conservation Status | Least Concern (LC) |

Size
They are large eagles, measuring 76 to 92 cm in length, with a wingspan of 200 to 245 cm. They weigh 3.5 to 7 kg, with females being larger than males.

Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is estimated to be about 25 years. In captivity, some individuals can live for over 40 years.

Distribution
They are widely distributed across Eurasia, including Europe, Russia, Central Asia, China, Mongolia, and even Japan. They are also found in Greenland and Iceland.
In Japan, they breed on the coasts, rivers, and lakes of Hokkaido and northern Honshu, and some individuals migrate south of Honshu for the winter.
White-tailed Eagle Q&A

What kind of eagle is the white-tailed eagle?
The white-tailed eagle, as its name suggests, is characterized by its white tail feathers. It's also called the 'White-tailed Eagle' in English.
They prefer waterside environments, such as coasts, rivers, and lakes, and primarily feed on fish. They are also known as 'sea eagles.'

What do white-tailed eagles eat?
The main food source for white-tailed eagles is fish. They prey on a variety of fish, including salmon, trout, and carp.
They also eat waterfowl, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and crustaceans. In winter, when food is scarce, they may scavenge on carrion. They are also known to steal prey from other birds.

Where do they raise their young?
White-tailed eagles build large nests on cliffs or high up in trees near the coast. The nests are made from branches, leaves, and grass, and can become massive over the years due to repeated repairs.
Females usually lay 2 to 3 eggs and incubate them for about 38 days. Chicks fledge after about 70 days but continue to be taught hunting techniques by their parents for several more months.

[Quiz!] Why did the white-tailed eagle population decline?
In the 20th century, the white-tailed eagle population plummeted due to environmental pollution, especially from pesticides like DDT. DDT accumulated in the white-tailed eagles' bodies, causing their eggshells to thin, which negatively impacted their reproduction.
Habitat destruction and hunting also contributed to their decline.

[Quiz!] What kind of calls do white-tailed eagles make?
White-tailed eagles emit high-pitched calls such as "pee" and "kyut." They also communicate with a deep, rumbling call, "gurururu," during the breeding season.

[Quiz!] Are white-tailed eagle populations increasing again?
Yes, in recent years, white-tailed eagle populations have been recovering thanks to conservation efforts. The ban on DDT and the establishment of protected areas have improved their breeding success.
However, habitat destruction and the impact of human activities remain concerns, and continued efforts are needed to protect them.

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White-tailed Eagle Type of List

Subspecies of White-tailed Eagle
- Northern European White-tailed Eagle
- Greenland White-tailed Eagle
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White-tailed Eagle References
White-tailed Eagle Introduction of media used

Tokumi Ohsaka, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Idalia Skalska, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

No machine-readable author provided. Scops~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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