Bird guideWhite-bellied Sea-Eagle

In flight note black and white underwing pattern, short tail.

⚠️VIC: Vulnerable; WA: Endangered; TAS: Vulnerable
🍃Indigenous: Ni-Ngakngak, Tjilyin, Ngagangaga, Ngagngag, Wurriyarlan.Ga, Ngawu Ru Ngawu Ru, Magaga, Ngakngak, Jagbarramba, Tjilyiny, Guwinyarri, Ŋagarŋiaga, Tjiliyon, Tjiliyan, Ngalor, Ngulor, Tjiliyon Bangap, White-Bellied Fish-Hawk, Sea Eagle, White-Breasted Sea Eagle, White-Bellied Sea Eagle

At a glance

FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
HabitatCoasts, estuaries, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and other waterways where fish and other prey are available.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from April to October.

Range map

Range map

6091visible hotspots
196456visible records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Juvenile is much browner and can be confused with Wedge-tailed Eagle, but note mostly pale and fairly short tail.

Behavior

Predominantly found along coastlines, as well as estuaries and inland waterways.

Regional timing

Western Australia
Peak: March to October18,819 records
New South Wales
Peak: January to December74,472 records
Queensland
Peak: April to October71,419 records
Northern Territory
Peak: July to September11,311 records
Victoria
Peak: January to July7,923 records
Tasmania
Peak: August to June15,535 records
South Australia
Peak: February to July1,815 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: March to May1,757 records
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