![]() Although they differ greatly in appearance and ecology, their genetic divergence of 0.3% indicates that the ancestors of the two forms might have diverged as recently as 150,000 years ago. The nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene of the two Sea Eagles were among those analysed in a 1996 study. Both these species have at least some dark colouration in their tails, though this may not always be clearly visible in the White-bellied Sea Eagle. The bill and eyes are dark, and the talons are dark yellow as in all Southern Hemisphere Sea Eagles. These form a superspecies, and as is usual in other Sea Eagle superspecies, one (the White-bellied Sea Eagle) has a white head, as opposed to the other species' dark head. Its closest relative is the little-known Sanford's Sea Eagle of the Solomon Islands. Its specific name is derived from the Ancient Greek leuko- 'white', and gaster 'belly'. The White-bellied Sea Eagle was first described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, although John Latham had made notes on the species in 1781, from a specimen obtained in February 1780 at Princes Island off the westernmost cape of Java during Captain Cook's last voyage. Is one of those MUST visit pages if you're in to bird watching. It is found in greater numbers in areas with little or no human impact or interference. The species is easily disturbed by humans, especially when nesting, and may desert nesting sites as a result. In one instance, a pair came to breed at Lake Albacutya in northwestern Victoria after the lake had been empty for 30 years. Populations in inland Australia move around as inland bodies of water appear and then dry up. They have been reported travelling upriver to hunt for flying foxes (Pteropus). They are a common sight in coastal areas, but may also be seen well inland (It is reportedly seen at the Panna Tiger Reserve in central India, nearly 1,000 km away from the sea shore) The White-bellied Sea Eagle is generally sedentary and territorial, although it may travel long distances. There is one unconfirmed record from Lord Howe Island and several from New Zealand. The range extends to the islands of Bass Strait and Tasmania, and it is thought able to move between the islands and the mainland. Similarly in South Australia, it is most abundant along the north coast of Kangaroo Island. In Victoria, where it is otherwise scarce, it is locally more common at Corner Inlet and Gippsland Lakes. In the northern Solomons it is restricted to Nissan Island, and replaced elsewhere by Sanford's Sea Eagle. The White-bellied Sea Eagle is found regularly from Mumbai (sometimes north to Gujarat, and in the past in the Lakshadweep Islands) eastwards in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in southern Asia, through all of coastal Southeast Asia including Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Indochina, the main and offshore islands of the Philippines, and southern China including Hong Kong, Hainan and Fuzhou, eastwards through New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, and Australia. ![]() contribs) - map data derived from Ferguson-Lees: Raptors of the World Houghton Mifflin Company 2001. ![]() The White-bellied Sea Eagle is revered by indigenous people in many parts of Australia, and is the subject of various folk tales throughout its range. Human disturbance to its habitat is the main threat, both from direct human activity near nests which impacts on breeding success, and from removal of suitable trees for nesting. It is ranked as Threatened in Victoria and Vulnerable in South Australia and Tasmania. Although rated as Least Concern globally, it has declined in parts of southeast Asia such as Thailand, and southeastern Australia. Opportunistic, it consumes carrion and a wide variety of animals. Resident from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways, the White-bellied Sea Eagle breeds and hunts near water, and fish form around half of its diet. Immature birds have brown plumage, which is gradually replaced by white until the age of five or six years. Like many raptors, the female is slightly larger than the male, and can measure up to 90 cm long with a wingspan of up to 2.2 m, and weigh 4.5 kg. The tail is short and wedge-shaped as in all Haliaeetus species. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts. Originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it is closely related to Sanford's Sea Eagle of the Solomon Islands, and the two are considered a superspecies.Ī distinctive bird, the adult White-bellied Sea Eagle has a white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the white-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
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