White-tailed Eagle - description, habitat, interesting facts

When it comes to birds belonging to the category of predators, involuntarily recalls the eagle. Proud, beautiful, powerful, it attracts attention. Usually hovering over the flattering terrain, spacious fields and tall trees. It is found above the water surface of lakes and raging seas. It affects not only beauty, but also greatness. Today we look at everything that affects the presented family. Let us examine what individuals feed on, where they live and how their mating period goes. We will not run ahead, consider the subtleties in turn.

Habitat

1. Birds of the predatory category are quite widespread, they live in almost all points of the globe. The only exception is the region of South America and Antarctica. Four species of eagles are available in our country.
2. The most popular white-tailed eagle. As the name implies, the external data of the birds suggest the presence of a white tail.The bird prefers brackish or fresh water sources with plenty of sunshine.
3. There is one more species of individuals of this family - the sea eagle. His areas in the upper parts of the wings are whitish. There are representatives on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It is worth considering the bald eagle, which is a symbol of the United States of America. This bird is depicted on state signs.
4. There is also an eagle screamer, common in African countries. It is considered a national symbol of the local places. Birds from a predatory family prefer to feast on fish, if there is such an opportunity. Get food on reservoirs, in sea open spaces and small rivers.
5. Birds prefer to dwell near deep and extensive water places. They are seduced by the sea shores, estuaries, rivers and lakes. Individuals do not fly into the open spaces, similar to the wilderness. The presented species does not migrate every year. However, in cases where water sources with food are covered with ice, then, willy-nilly, individuals leave the usual spaces.
6. When a couple develops during the mating season, she occupies her territory and has lived on it for many years.Two birds occupy more than 10 hectares of water. In the same area along the coast nests are built, chicks are raised and trained. When it is time to rest, the eagles move into the deciduous forest.

Description

1. These birds are ranked as subcategories of buzzards. If you translate the name from the Greek language, it means "sea eagle". The bird is large enough in its dimensional features; its wingspan is as high as 250 cm or more. As for the weight of the body, it varies in the range of 3.5-7 kg. The growth of birds is 80-100 cm.
2. If you compare the inhabitants of southern and northern latitudes, the first in size is much smaller. The eagles have large and wide wings, the same can be said about the tail. Legs strong, with long, clawed toes. It is the claws that help grab the fish and hold it.
3. The yellowish beak is bent down with a hook, it is massive and strong. In the eye area there are eyebrows that give the bird a gloomy look. The iris is brownish with a yellow tint, which is typical of all sea eagles.
4. The plumage is brownish, there are white inserts.Each individual is unique in its own way. The head can be whitish, as well as the shoulders, tail and body. The main color is brownish or similar in color. With regard to differences in gender, they are practically absent. Females can be slightly larger.

Lifestyle

1. Birds stay awake preferably in the daytime. They hunt when it is light, get food and do their own things in every way. When an individual flies, it can soar or dive.
2. When the bird flies around the territory, most of them hover. Looking out for prey, can slow down and then fly down with all speed. The wings are wide and strong, allow a long time to spend in the sky.
3. If the eagle notices the prey, it approaches it at a speed of up to 100 km / h. The individual falls from a height, grabs future food with strong claws and carries it to the sky.
4. In cases when the own territory is too large, the bird chooses a convenient platform as a place for observation. Since her individual watches the surroundings.

Nutrition

1. The main food sources of these birds are water.That is, they feed on waterfowl, large fish, which by weight can reach 3 kg. We are talking about trout, pike, sockeye, mullet, herring, pink salmon, etc. Such a choice is determined not only by the appetite of these individuals, but also by the excitement of the hunt.
2. Since birds are predatory, they choose weak or small individuals. They hunt ducks, gulls, coots. Pound game until then, until she gets tired. Then grabbed, dragged to the shore and killed. Bloodthirsty and not all a pleasant sight.
3. In the daily diet includes small mammals. On medium hunt less. They eat raccoons, rabbits, rats, squirrels. They feed on crustaceans, frogs, turtles.
4. The considered individuals are also not averse to profit and carrion. Birds do not show any disgust for beached fish, whales and the corpses of various animals. In addition, eagles are quite large in size, so they often take food from smaller predators. Also, individuals often steal prey from their relatives.
5. Often, the individuals in question prefer to hunt in shallow water. In such places a huge amount of fish accumulates, and getting it is quite simple.As soon as the eagle notices the potential prey, it rushes like a stone down from a height behind it. At the same time, the wings of the predator do not get wet at all.
6. Often, eagles simply walk through shallow water and hatch off fry, various animals. In other cases, the considered individuals are able to drag off the victim weighing up to 3 kg. If an eagle caught larger prey in the water, he will pull it ashore and calmly eat it.
7. Often one can observe such a picture that a pair of eagles prey on large prey. They do this together, as the beast can be very fast. In addition, individuals attack large birds. At this time, one eagle begins to distract predators, another suddenly attacks. Small birds eagles are intercepted on the fly.
8. When presented predators hunt waterfowl birds, eagles force them to dive. At this time, they circle the victim. As soon as the prey begins to lose strength, the eagle immediately catches it and drags it ashore. When the predator starts eating, it presses the prey with one paw to the ground.
9. Orlan begins to tear the flesh still in live prey. Often such predators try to retire during the meal. They do not like to share with their relatives.Often, hungry people are trying to collect food. If the eagle has piled up large prey, such food will last for a long time. In addition, such individuals are able to gain up to 1 kg in their goiter. food.

The considered individuals belong to monogamous couples. In extreme cases, when the satellite dies, the eagle finds a replacement. Pair formation occurs at a young age. The pair starts building the nest together. The male finds building materials, and the female at this time builds a nest.

Video: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)