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White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Icthyophaga leucogaster · Large diurnal bird of prey
Order
Accipitriformes
Codes
wbseag1, WBSE

About the White-bellied Sea-Eagle

The white-bellied sea eagle, also known as the white-breasted sea eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. 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. A distinctive bird, the adult white-bellied sea eagle has a white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts. The tail is short and wedge-shaped as in all Haliaeetinae species. Like many raptors, the female is larger than the male, and can measure up to 90 cm (35 in) long with a wingspan of up to 2.2 m (7.2 ft), and weigh 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). Immature birds have brown plumage, which is gradually replaced by white until the age of five or six years. The call is a loud goose-like honking.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderAccipitriformes
FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae)
SpeciesIcthyophaga leucogaster
Species Codeswbseag1, WBSE

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the White-bellied Sea-Eagle belong to?

The White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Icthyophaga leucogaster) belongs to the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae), in the order Accipitriformes.

How can I identify the White-bellied Sea-Eagle?

The white-bellied sea eagle, also known as the white-breasted sea eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. 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...

Where can I report a White-bellied Sea-Eagle sighting?

You can log sightings of White-bellied Sea-Eagle on eBird (ebird.org) using species code wbseag1, or on iNaturalist.