Bird guideWhite-bellied Sea-Eagle

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

⚠️VIC: Vulnerable; WA: Endangered; TAS: Vulnerable; NT: Endangered
🍃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

200approx hotspots
207438approx 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

Queensland
Peak: April to October71,926 records
Northern Territory
Peak: June to September11,400 records
New South Wales
Peak: January to December75,652 records
Tasmania
Peak: January to December15,790 records
Western Australia
Peak: February to October18,951 records
Victoria
Peak: January to July8,078 records
South Australia
Peak: February to November1,937 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: March to May1,768 records
© BetterBirdingAustralian bird pages, free in the app, with every feature unlocked.Privacy