White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) - I took this photo in Hokkaido, Japan
Key data
Size: 70 - 100 cm
Weight: 3 - 7 Kg
Diet: Fish, carrion, birds
Season: Can be observed year-round
Observation tip: Lakes, seas, rivers
Photography tips:
Lens: 600 mm or greater
Difficulty level: Difficult
The white-tailed eagle is a large bird of prey and belongs to the family of hawks. It is known for its impressive size and strength, as well as its majestic appearance.
It has a wingspan of up to 2.4 meters and can reach a body length of up to 1 meter. Its plumage is usually brown, white, and black. The young birds are often darker and only get their characteristic light head and tail coloration during their first year of life.
The white-tailed eagle lives near bodies of water, such as at sea coasts, rivers, or lakes. There it mainly feeds on fish, carrion, but also on birds, rodents, and other small animals. To hunt its prey, it typically flies very high and uses thermals to cover long distances.
The white-tailed eagle is widespread in many parts of the world, especially in Europe, Asia, and North America. However, in some countries, it is threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and illegal persecution.
Weight
The weight of a white-tailed eagle varies depending on the bird's gender and age, as well as its habitat and diet. Generally, adult white-tailed eagles weigh between about 3 and 7 kilograms. Male white-tailed eagles are usually lighter than female white-tailed eagles, with the weight of male white-tailed eagles ranging from about 3 to 5 kilograms and that of female white-tailed eagles ranging from about 4 to 7 kilograms.
Size
The size varies depending on the bird's gender and age. Typically, however, adult white-tailed eagles reach a body length of 70 to 100 centimeters and a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.4 meters. Male white-tailed eagles are often smaller than female white-tailed eagles, with the size of male white-tailed eagles ranging from 70 to 90 centimeters and that of female white-tailed eagles ranging from 80 to 100 centimeters.
Population in Germany
The largest population of white-tailed eagles in Germany lives in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially in the regions of the Müritz Lakes, the Mecklenburg Lake District, and the island of Rügen. There is a comparatively high number of breeding pairs, and the white-tailed eagle populations have also recovered in recent decades due to protective measures and habitat improvements.