Often revered as the “sea eagle,” it is a majestic bird of prey that has made a remarkable comeback from the brink of regional extinction. With conservation efforts leading to successful reintroduction in the 20th century, these raptors have reclaimed their place in the skies of the British Isles, Western Europe, the Faeroes, and certain Mediterranean areas where they had previously vanished.
These large eagles are identified by their broad wingspan, which can reach up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), and their notable white tail contrasting with their brown body plumage. As one of the largest eagle species, they command the coastal environments, large lakes, and rivers where they reside, serving as apex predators within their ecosystems.
White-tailed eagles exhibit lifelong monogamy, forming strong pair bonds crucial for cooperative breeding and survival. In the unfortunate event of a partner’s death, however, they display a pragmatic approach to finding new mates, ensuring the continuation of their lineage.
The diet of white-tailed eagles is varied, reflecting their adaptability as opportunistic feeders. Their notoriety for taking farm animals has been historically exaggerated, but they are known to feed on a range of prey, including fish, waterfowl, and carrion. Far from being the ‘pirates’ they were once accused of being, these eagles often clean up dead fish and offal, playing a vital role in their ecological communities.
Their hunting strategy involves keen eyesight to spot potential prey from great distances. Rather than plunging into the water, they prefer to swoop down and snatch their prey with their powerful talons, often putting on a breathtaking display of aerial agility.
The nest, or eyrie, of the White-tailed eagle is an impressive structure, often reused and added to year after year, becoming massive over time. Located in tall trees or on cliff edges, these nests provide a secure place for raising their young
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Official estimate
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bhutan
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Official estimate
Greece
Greenland
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Myanmar
Nepal
Netherlands
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Official estimate
Pakistan
Poland
Official estimate
Portugal
Official estimate
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Spain
Svalbard
Sweden
Official estimate
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Official estimate
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
UzbekistanAnything 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
