Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
This black-and-white eagle makes an impressive sight as it soars over water with its wings, up to 6 ft (2 m) wide, held in a shallow V shape. Its wide-ranging diet includes fish, water birds, turtles, and sea snakes, which it snatches from the surface, rarely entering the water. It also scavenges and forces smaller sea birds to drop their catch. It breeds close to water, building a large nest in a high tree.
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- Order Falconiformes
- Length Length 28–35 in (70–90 cm)
- Weight 5–9 lb (2.5–4.2 kg)
- Habitat Inshore waters, rivers, lakes, reservoirs
- Distribution South and Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Australia
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