Haliaeetus albicilla White Tailed Eagle
A powerful fish-hunter with a wingspan rivalling small aircraft, this majestic raptor patrols coastlines and lakes across the Northern Hemisphere
The White-tailed Eagle is a massive raptor with a broad wingspan and a large, powerful beak. Adults have dark brown plumage with a pale head and neck, contrasting with their namesake white tail. Their yellow beak and eyes stand out against their lighter head.
Females are significantly larger than males but otherwise difficult to distinguish.
Juveniles are darker overall, lacking the pale head and white tail of adults. They gradually acquire adult plumage over 5-6 years, with the tail whitening last.
In flight, their broad, plank-like wings and short, wedge-shaped tail are distinctive.
White-tailed Eagles inhabit coastal areas, large lakes, and river valleys across a vast range from Greenland to Japan. They prefer areas with tall trees or cliffs for nesting and near productive waters for hunting.
In Europe, they range from Norway to Russia, with reintroduced populations in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England. Some northern populations migrate south in winter, while others remain resident year-round, depending on food availability.
They've recently been re-introduced to the Isle of Wight, but otherwise, the best areas are in Scotland and include The Isle of Mull, Isle of Skye, and Lock Sunart.