White-tailed eagle  (Haliaeetus albicilla)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

White-tailed eagles are sexually mature at five years old (9). They mate for life, and breed in the same territory each year. These territories continue to be used by successive generations of eagles over many decades (10). One or two chicks hatch each year, and are cared for by both the male and the female. The chicks remain near the nest for some time, until they have learnt to fly and to hunt for themselves (9).

The white-tailed eagle hunts for fish, mammals and birds. It is migratory in the north and east of its breeding range, but sedentary elsewhere (8).

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