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Project Noah Nature School
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Also called White-breasted Sea Eagle, a large bird of prey (wongspan can reach 2m), large wide wings, short wedge shaped tail, usually adult birds are white with dark to light grey tips to wings, shoulders and some mottled appearance to parts of body, juveniles are more mottled and darker, large broad curved beak, large feet and claws, this adult swooped into the ocean waves and grabbed a garfish for lunch. It is the second largest raptor in Australia - second to the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Prefer taller trees to perch in, call is a strange honking sound and chatter, sometimes a whistle.
Often seen near the coast around Australia, sometimes further inland near to waterways. This one on coastline of north east NSW.
Spotted on Mar 3, 2014
Submitted on Mar 4, 2014
7 Comments
New photo added showing the juvenile flying alongside the parent bird begging for the fish.
Thanks Tom15. Yes the bird grabbed a garfish from the gap between waves breaking on the beach. A young bird was trying to beg it from the parent as they flew along the shoreline.
Magnificent bird and photos! The eagle even has a fish in its talons!
That's exactly what I said to myself SachindraUmesh! These birds and the Wedge-tails are impressive enough flying over head - imagine living in the age of much larger flying creatures thousands of years ago!
wow!!!
Thanks Shanna.
Beautiful shots.