White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), also known as the "sea eagle", is a large bird of prey widely distributed throughout temperate Eurasia. It is a member of the family Accipitridae, which includes other diurnal raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers.

Taxonomy

The white-tailed eagle's name comes from the Neo-Latin albi-, meaning "whites", and cilla, meaning "tail". However, this name is a result of a medieval misunderstanding of the Latin name motacilla for wagtails. The species is also known as Haliaeetus (海鷹), which means "sea hawk" in Chinese.

Physical Characteristics

The white-tailed eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in Central Europe, with only monk vultures, bearded vultures, and goose vultures being larger. When sitting, it can be recognized by its size, angular body, strong neck, large catch, and strong legs. The plumage of adult white-tailed eagles is predominantly brown, with a bright yellowish-orange head, neck, upper chest, and upper back. The white tail is short and wedge-shaped, while the catch is very large and strong compared to other birds of prey.

Distribution and Habitat

The white-tailed eagle inhabits water-rich landscapes of Eurasia from Greenland to the Pacific. It feeds mainly on fish, water birds, and carrion. In dense, coastal forests, it dwells more so, feeding mostly on birds and mammals rather than fish and water birds.

Evolutionary History

Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the white-tailed eagle diverged around 3 million years ago (mya) from its closest relatives, the milvine kites and Old World vultures. The Hawaiian eagle, a distinct species found in Hawaii, is most closely related to the white-tailed eagle.

Conservation Status

The sea eagle was almost eradicated in Central and Western Europe by human persecution and poisoning by the insecticide DDT. However, since the mid-1980s, its population has increased strongly in large parts of Europe.

Physical Measurements

Adult white-tailed eagles reach a body length of 74 to 92 centimeters and a wingspan of 193 to 244 centimeters. Females are significantly larger and heavier than males, with females weighing 3.7 to 6.9 kilograms and having a wing length of 621 to 717 millimeters.

Subspecies

No subspecies are described for the white-tailed eagle today. However, in the past, the Greenlandic sea eagle was separated as its own subspecies from the nominate form, but this separation is no longer maintained today.

Genetic Studies

Genetic studies have demonstrated the relatively close kinship of the Greenlandic sea eagle with white-tailed eagles from Western Europe.