Scientific name: Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Birds-of-prey
Field characters. Length 70-90 cm; wingspan 200-245 cm. A very large eagle with broad, rectangular, deeply fingered wings, heavy protruding head, and short, wedge-shaped, white tail. Adult with pale head and heavy, yellow bill. Juvenile has black-brown head, tail, and bill and pale bases to the axillaries. At large distance may resemble much smaller spotted eagles but these lack the pale axillaries. Fishes by flying low over water and picking up fish from the surface.
Voice. Usual call is a metallic "krikrikrikri".
Distribution. Scarce breeding bird. Adult birds are mainly residents but juveniles and immatures wander extensively.
Habitat. Generally confined to sea coasts, lake shores, rivers, islands and wetlands where ample supply of fish.
Food. Seeks for prey from elevated perch on ground or in searching flight, taking fish, waterbirds, mammals, and carrion. Snatches fish, with extended talons, from surface. A food-pirate on several raptors and gulls.