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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
White-tailed eagle View towards snowy hills at the RSPB Insh Marshes nature reserve Adult white-tailed eagle in flight
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White-tailed eagle

Red conservation status

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Video files

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Latin name

Haliaeetus albicilla

Family

Hawks, vultures and eagles (Accipitridae)

Overview

The white-tailed eagle is the largest UK bird of prey. It has brown body plumage with a conspicuously pale head and neck which can be almost white in older birds, and the tail feathers of adults are white. In flight it has massive long, broad wings with 'fingered' ends. Its head protrudes and it has a short, wedge-shaped tail. It went extinct in the UK during the early 19th century, due to illegal killing, and the present population has been reintroduced.

Where to see them

A rare breeding bird which is confined to the west coast of Scotland.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Fish and birds

Estimated numbers

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-42 territories--

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

  • Behaviour
  • Breeding
  • Feeding
  • Legal status
  • Population trends
  • Threats and conservation
  • Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

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2 illustrations

12

Illustrations
White-tailed eagle

Adult

White-tailed eagle juvenile

Juvenile

Similar birds

Golden eagle (illustration)

Golden eagle

Help the White-tailed eagle

We need to take urgent action to secure the future of this species. Become a member today and help us continue our vital conservation work.

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

Contact us

Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

Latest news

Woodland birds in decline

Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) puts woodland birds at the top of the list of declining species.

New wetland could see continental birds arriving in Kent

Restoration of a large area of Kent countryside to wildlife-rich wetland could see the garden of England become a landing pad for bird species moving north from Europe as the climate warms.

Seabird failure continues for another year

Early reports of seabird breeding performance on some RSPB coastal reserves, especially in parts of Scotland and Wales, indicate continuing problems for internationally-important populations of guillemots, kittiwakes and other seabirds.

More news...

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 14/06/2008 02:15:43
Show/hide picture credits
White-tailed eagle - Ian McCarthy (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2004_5545_000 )
View towards snowy hills at the RSPB Insh Marshes nature reserve - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 9001997_01017_009)
Adult white-tailed eagle in flight - Niall Benvie
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)