White-tailed eagle

Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?

Bohuš Číčel


White-tailed eagle

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?

Population 60,000

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

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Afghanistan
2021
Albania
2021
Algeria
0
Official estimate
EX
2021
Extinct 1900s
Armenia
2021
Austria
2021
Azerbaijan
2021
Bangladesh
2021
Non-Breeding
Belarus
2021
Belgium
2021
Vagrant
Bhutan
2021
Vagrant
Bosnia And Herz.
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Bulgaria
2021
China
2021
Croatia
2021
Cyprus
2021
Vagrant
Czechia
2021
Denmark
2021
Egypt
2021
Vagrant
Estonia
2021
Faroe Islands
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Finland
2021
France
2021
Non-Breeding
Georgia
2021
Germany
140-150
Official estimate
LC
2021
Greece
2021
Greenland
2021
Hungary
2021
Iceland
2021
India
2021
Non-Breeding
Iran
2021
Iraq
2021
Non-Breeding
Ireland
2021
Vagrant
Israel
2021
Non-Breeding
Italy
2021
Non-Breeding
Japan
2021
Kazakhstan
2021
Breeding
Korea
2021
Non-Breeding
Kyrgyzstan
2021
Non-Breeding
Latvia
2021
Lebanon
2021
Non-Breeding
Lithuania
2021
Luxembourg
2021
Vagrant
Malta
2021
Vagrant
Moldova
2021
Mongolia
2021
Breeding
Montenegro
2021
Myanmar
2021
Vagrant
Nepal
2021
Non-Breeding
Netherlands
2021
Non-Breeding
North Korea
2021
Non-Breeding
North Macedonia
2021
Norway
9,000-11,000
Official estimate
LC
2021
Pakistan
2021
Non-Breeding
Poland
180-240
Official estimate
LC
2021
Portugal
0
Official estimate
EX
2021
Extinct 1950s
Romania
2021
Russia
2021
Breeding: Eastern Asian Russia
Saudi Arabia
2021
Non-Breeding
Serbia
2021
Slovakia
2021
Slovenia
2021
Spain
2021
Non-Breeding
Spain
2021
Vagrant: Canary Is.
Svalbard
2021
Vagrant
Sweden
100-150
Official estimate
LC
2021
Switzerland
2021
Non-Breeding
Syria
2021
Non-Breeding
Taiwan
2021
Non-Breeding
Tajikistan
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Thailand
2021
Seasonality Uncertain
Tunisia
2021
Vagrant
Turkey
20-60
Official estimate
LC
2021
Turkmenistan
2021
Breeding
Ukraine
2021
United Kingdom
2021
Reintroduced
United States
2021
Non-Breeding
Uzbekistan
2021
Non-Breeding

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

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