White-bellied Sea Eagle

70-90 cm; span c. 2 m. Female larger. Very large white and grey eagle with unfeathered cream legs and feet. Soars in majestic circles: broad, upswept wings and short white tail, dark at base, give itthe look of a huge butterfly; underwings divide into white and blackish triangles. Juvenile: (first year) head buffish and 'spiky', contrasting with patchy cream and dark brown body and wings; underwing pattern also patchy, but note large cream half-moon at base of primaries; buff-white tail with broad dark brown subterminal band and pale tips. Immature: (second and third years) patchy buff-white head and body and grey-brown wings; tail plain buff-grey; later like adult. Singles, territorial pairs, family parties: watches from large trees over coasts, rivers, lake-shores. Hovers low over prey, or makes sloping power-dive from a height (or high perch) to seize fish, waterbird or offal from surface; unlike Osprey, seldom enters water.