Icthyophaga leucogaster

(Gmelin, 1788)

Vernacular names
English : White-bellied sea-eagle
French : Pygargue blagre

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Accipitriformes
Family : Accipitridae
Notes : No subspecies known. Formerly placed in genus Haliaeetus.

Identification
Body length of 85 cm, weight up to 3,9 kg (female heavier), wingspan up to 2,18 m. Black bill with dark blue-grey cere. Grey eye-ring, dark brown eyes. Plumage mostly white with dark slaty-grey wings and back. Black tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from India and Sri Lanka to south China, south to Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia and Tasmania. Lives in coastal areas, mangroves, estuaries, near forests and rocky edges.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is generally common but some populations have been declining due to persecution and egg-shell thinning because of DDT poison.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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