Haliaeetus – Sea eagles
A fish won’t see it coming, but these eagles could spot poor fish from a distance
Named also Fish eagles, members in this order are some of the most handsome birds with spectacular vision.
The eyes set at the front of the head act as high-quality binoculars or GPS to locate the prey. The mighty wings then help to dive toward the food in a swift motion. The beak in some species is bright yellow, with the body in a darker shade of brown adorned with a hint of white. Some species have white tails, while others have white bellies or strokes of white in the upper feathers.
Their expensive feathers make these birds victim to hunting and poaching. They closely resemble other related genera like Milvus, Aquila, and Buteo (the relationship is still unclear).
Species in this genus
White-bellied sea eagle
Its broad wings enable it to glide effortlessly on air currents, often seen navigating the coastal winds
Bald eagle
The magnificent national bird of the United States, distinguished by a snowy white head, neck, and tail
White-tailed eagle
Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?
