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White-bellied Sea-Eagle

(Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Alternative name: Misnomer "Eagle-hawk"
Aboriginal name: "konkon"
Size: 75-85 cm; wing span 1.8-2.2 m

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The habitat of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle comprises the entire Australian coastline, including Tasmania, the Bass Strait and the Torres Strait and the continental shelf. Inland it also includes basically the entire tropical north, most of QLD (except the south-western quarter), most of NSW (except the north-western corner) and all of VIC. They are found inland only after substantial rainfalls and thus flowing rivers and/or full lakes and dams, with abundant fish.

White-bellied Sea-Eagles prey primarily on fish. Apart from coastal saline water, they also hunt in brackish and fresh water, mostly by following the major rivers inland from the coast. They are not found above arid or semi-arid landscapes without open water surfaces.

Sightings

We first spotted a White-bellied Sea-Eagle during a boat trip on a billabong in the Northern Territory (south of Jabiru) in 1997.

Next we spotted birds in various locations off the coast of NSW, from Myall Lakes to Bouddi National Park, in June 2009. Also observed further north, on the NSW north coast. Then again spotted in the area of Urunga to Hat Head, NSW, in January 2011.

One bird was also spotted by C. Kellenberg at Point Plomer, Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, NSW, in February 2009.

In mid-October 2011 a single bird was spotted soaring above Round Swamp, a natural lake about 25 km west of Narrabri, NSW.

Photos

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Action shot of a White-bellied Sea-Eagle; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Soaring White-bellied Sea-Eagle

The same bird as above, when it had taken up its position in an onshore updraft, patrolling the coastline

Some running repairs to the plumage...

Here a bird with a prominent alula (feathers looking like a winglet on the first joint) on one of its wings

Immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle

The same bird as above

Food

All raptors are carnivores. White-bellied Sea-Eagles prey mostly on fish, but will also take animals as large as (young) kangaroos.