Found across South and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, this eagle is a true emblem of watery wilderness. As its name suggests, it is a specialist fish-hunter, gliding gracefully over the water’s surface before plunging down to seize its slippery prey with astonishing precision. With its broad wings, proud stance, and deep, resonant calls, the grey-headed fish eagle is both a symbol of power and a sentinel of Asia’s threatened wetlands.
What makes the grey-headed fish eagle so distinctive is its rugged, regal appearance. It has a pale gray head and neck, sharply contrasting with its dark brown body and wings, while its belly and thighs are pure white. The tail is strikingly white with a bold black terminal band, one of its key field marks when seen in flight. The eagle’s large, hooked beak and bright yellow eyes give it a fierce, almost stoic expression—an impression enhanced by its upright posture when perched on riverside branches.
True to its name, the grey-headed fish eagle feeds mostly on fish, especially catfish, snakeheads, and tilapia, though it occasionally eats waterfowl, reptiles, or carrion. Its hunting technique is one of controlled power: it soars or perches silently near the water, watching intently for ripples or flashes below. When the moment is right, it swoops low with talons extended, snatching the fish from just below the surface—often without even touching the water with its body. Its feet are equipped with rough, spiny soles that help grip slippery prey, and its sharp claws pierce like fish hooks. After catching a meal, it flies to a favorite perch to eat, sometimes uttering a series of sharp, barking calls that echo across the water.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Philippines
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
