The RSPB: White-tailed eagle

White-tailed eagle

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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

Europe	UK 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

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)