171-602: (Redirected from White Eagles ) White Eagle ( s ) may refer to: History and politics [ edit ] Coat of arms of Poland , a white eagle Crusade of Romanianism , or White Eagles, a 1930s far-right movement in Romania Task Force White Eagle , a Polish military unit during the War in Afghanistan 2002–2021 White Eagles (paramilitary) ,
342-483: A buff colouration. In worn or bleached plumages these light areas can be even paler at times, ranging to almost whitish, which can render a resemblance in such eagles to a washed-out bald eagle. Some of the palest birds can appear anywhere from cream-tawny to light greyish. It is thought that in some populations perhaps paleness increases with age, although it is possible that there is an historical genetic factor to these pale variations. In contrast, some adults can also be
513-607: A species pair with the bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ), which occupies a similar niche in North America. The first formal description of the white-tailed eagle was by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Falco albicilla . The genus Haliaeetus was introduced in 1809 by the French naturalist Marie Jules César Savigny in
684-419: A 1990s Serbian paramilitary group Film [ edit ] White Eagle (1922 serial) , an American Western film serial The White Eagle , a 1928 Soviet silent drama film White Eagle (1932 film) , an American Western directed by Lambert Hillyer White Eagle (1941 film) , an Argentine drama directed by Carlos Hugo Christensen White Eagle (1941 serial) , an American film serial based on
855-944: A Canadian soccer team based in Toronto Springvale White Eagles FC , an Australian soccer club based in Melbourne Structures [ edit ] White Eagle Hall , a venue in Jersey City, New Jersey, US White Eagle Municipal Stadium , a venue in Legnica, Poland White Eagle Museum , a Polish military museum in Skarżysko-Kamienna, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship The White Eagle School , in Devpur Jakhwali, Gujarat, India Other uses [ edit ] Chief White Eagle (c. 1825–1914), Native American chief of
1026-476: A Mount Vert a Crown Or issuant therefrom a double-Cross Argent (for Hungary ); 4th, azure three Lions' Heads affronté Crowned Or (for Dalmatia ) Quarterly 1st and 4th Gules, an eagle argent, crowned or; 2nd and 3rd, Gules, Pogonia . The inescutcheon here, Azure, three fleurs-de-lis or, belonged to Henry III of France Used since 1944 and legalized in 1952, the emblem of the Polish People's Republic
1197-487: A considerably more massive and paler bill, which is yellow even in juveniles unlike in bald and white-tailed eagles. Juvenile Steller's sea eagles are a distinctly darker soot colour than juvenile white-tailed eagles with even less whitish showing on the body than the latter species but, on the other hand, the underwing often as white marked as juvenile bald eagles (dissimilarly from juvenile white-tailed eagles), albeit in different pattern. In all three large northern sea eagles,
1368-462: A cross added atop the crown. After the fall of communism in 1989, the coat of arms was swiftly redesigned by Andrzej Heidrich using the Kamiński's design as a basis. The modifications include the removal of the yellow border around the shield and changing the cinquefoils that adorned the upper edges of the eagle's wings from resembling stars to be in the shape of a trefoil. The crown was also returned to
1539-465: A dozen gulls are known in the prey spectrum from the smallest to all four largest extant species. In the United Kingdom , northern fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialis ) are noted as a common prey species and as such may contribute to locally high levels of DDT and PCB chemicals in nesting eagles. However, fulmars defend themselves by regurgitating a smelly, tar-like oily substance that can impair
1710-421: A few attacks also start to exhaust the eagle, as one immature gave up after 15–28 attempts at a little grebe ( Tachybaptus ruficollis ). While bald eagles may attack diving ducks in the same way, they appear to do so somewhat less regularly and successfully. White-tailed eagles usually have less success hunting dabbling ducks because their normal predator response behaviour is to take flight. In one instance,
1881-593: A heraldic charge (in this particular case a white crowned eagle) and not an entire coat of arms, but it is also an archaic word for a national symbol of any sort. In later legislation only the herb retained this designation; it is unknown why. The coat of arms of the Republic of Poland is described in two legal documents: the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 1997 and the Coat of Arms, Colors and Anthem of
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#17327724695972052-759: A hundred years of systematic persecution by humans (from the early 1800s to around World War II ) followed by inadvertent poisonings and epidemics of nesting failures due to various manmade chemical pesticides and organic compounds , which have threatened eagles since roughly the 1950s and continue to be a potential concern. Due to this, the white-tailed eagle was considered endangered or extinct in several countries. Some populations have since recovered well, due to governmental protections, dedicated conservationists and naturalists protecting habitats and nesting sites, partially regulating poaching and pesticide usage, as well as careful reintroductions into parts of their former range. White-tailed eagles usually live most of
2223-572: A large bird of prey Aguila Blanca (disambiguation) Serbia national football team , nicknamed the Beli Orlovi (White Eagles) Beli Orlovi (supporter group) , organized supporters of Serbian sport, especially of the Serbia national football team Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title White Eagle . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
2394-420: A long time for them to dry. This may also make them vulnerable to losing their catch to other white-tailed eagles since their flight may be impaired until the wings are dried. Therefore, when hunting fish, they will fly to a feeding perch or nest as soon as possible most of the time. Another option when taking particularly large fish is for the eagle to stay in the water and row, swimming using their wings, across
2565-454: A longer and differently marked tail. At all ages, the white-tailed eagle averages a duller, slightly darker and browner colour overall than the Pallas's fish eagle. Pallas's fish eagles are mid-brown on the body in juvenile plumage with no paler feather edging as seen in juveniles and especially subadults of the larger species. Adult Pallas's fish eagles are immediately distinctive rufous hue with
2736-432: A lower yield, fish of up to 30 cm (12 in) are taken secondarily and fish between 30 and 60 cm (0.98 and 1.97 ft) are preferred since they have the highest nutritional benefit. Fish taken can exceed 0.9 to 1 m (3.0 to 3.3 ft) but since they can start to considerably exceed the weight of the eagle itself, they may prove too heavy to carry. One large Atlantic halibut ( Hippoglossus hippoglossus )
2907-648: A lowland species, the species is known to live at elevations of 1,500 to 2,300 m (4,900 to 7,500 ft) so long as there is water access in some parts of Central Asia and Siberia . In coastal areas, the species may range from high sea cliffs down to low-lying islands and archipelagos . Especially in winter, many white-tailed eagles often frequent low coastal spots, estuaries and coastal marshes . Several studies have supported that coastal areas are preferred when available during winter. In many areas, white-tailed eagles can seem to switch freely between usually cliff habitat and wooded spots for nesting sites and
3078-567: A majority staying near the Baltic coast. However, some eagles that hatched from nests in Germany have been found as far south as in Italy, 1,030 km (640 mi) away to the southeast, or to Gironde , France , 1,520 km (940 mi) to the southwest. In several parts of Russia, quite unlike many European populations, the white-tailed eagle seems to be largely migratory. In the far east,
3249-620: A mallard was caught while flying in mid-air, but usually the much larger eagle is unable to capture ducks in flight. While somewhat less swift in flight, healthy geese can usually outpace a heavier eagle as well and one bean goose ( Anser fabalis ) was even recorded to have defended itself successfully against an eagle's attack even though this goose was injured. White-tailed eagles often hunt dabbling ducks and geese most successfully when they are moulted into their eclipse plumage which renders them temporarily flightless. Swans during winter may find themselves forced to land due to their bulk on
3420-575: A more restricted but more sharply demarked paler buffy head. Bald eagle juveniles may be found together with white-tailed eagles in the Aleutian islands (where the white-tailed eagle formerly bred until about 30 years ago) and when vagrants of white-tails occur in Alaska. Juveniles of bald and white-tailed eagles often strongly resemble each other but the bald eagles have a shorter neck, a relatively longer and squarer tail, and somewhat less broad wings. In
3591-635: A much stronger preference for fish in Greenland by 1983, as fish comprised an extreme 91.8% of 660 items. However, this kind of direct continuous observation of food deliveries to nests is not always possible. Furthermore, despite similar bias for prey that is large and leaves conspicuous remains (including any larger fish, bird or mammal), in the bald eagle it was found that fish were usually detectable and dominant in remains and pellets. Most modern biologists may need to leave some fish unidentified but will account for different methodologies of prey study to get
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#17327724695973762-438: A nest is approached (usually recorded while directed towards humans). The young let out a monotonous veee-veee when hungry (or "bored") which intensifies if the eaglets are not fed or brooded immediately. Given reasonable view, adult white-tailed eagles are difficult to mistake for any other bird. There are no other eagles with fully white tails in their range except for in the easternmost limits of their range, their cousins
3933-441: A nest with some security. Although a relatively gregarious raptor, especially among wintering birds and juveniles and immature birds, they are territorial and intrusion by a male in adult plumage often provokes vigorous fighting, in which either combatant can even die. In some cases, these vicious fights can cause damage to the nest as the two fighting eagles plummet down trying to slash at each other. The white-tailed eagle's diet
4104-661: A rectangular shape. The arms of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was quartered, with Polish eagle and Lithuanian Pogonia on opposite sides. Kings used to place their own emblems in escutcheon point (i.e., House Vasa). Despite the fact that new emblems were given to provinces established by the invaders after the partitions of Poland , the White Eagle remained there with or without crown and occasionally with face turned towards left and in some exceptions with Pogonia. But in most cases they were combined with
4275-425: A relatively smaller head. Young white-tailed eagles are also potentially confusable with any Aquila , but should be obvious even as a silhouette in its huge wings, relatively truncated and slightly wedge-shaped tail and obvious projection of the neck and head. All Aquila lack pale the axillary band often visible on juvenile and subadult white-tailed eagles. Some greater spotted eagles ( Clanga clanga ) can suggest
4446-431: A richer, more deeply dark brown (or somewhat rufescent ) than average with perhaps a mild increase in average darkness of hue to the east of the species' range. When many of the feathers are freshly moulted, they can take on a slight purplish gloss. The brownish hue of the adult overall makes the somewhat wedge-shaped white tail stand out in contrast. All the bare parts of the adult's body are yellow in colour, including
4617-523: A sheet of ice over water if they can find no open water, which can make their feet stuck to the ice. White-tailed eagles have been recorded utilizing this disability to attack and kill swans. They've also been seen to attack numerous waterfowl when the birds are injured by buckshot from duck hunters. Due to their status as enemy of other large birds, they are frequently mobbed by them and white-tailed eagles have been recorded utilizing violent mobbings to suddenly turn over in flight and predaceously grab one of
4788-416: A single meal upon capturing a large fish. The crop can bulge to the size of a small grapefruit after they've consumed a large meal. Many studies have reflected that the primary foods of white-tailed eagles are fish and water birds. These are the primary food as well for other sea eagle species. However, unlike most Haliaeetus , including the bald eagle and Steller's sea eagle, the water birds tend to take
4959-436: A specimen from Greenland which measured 2.53 m (8 ft 4 in) while another specimen apparently spanned 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in). The bald eagle broadly overlaps in size with the white-tailed eagle. In direct comparison, the white-tailed eagle averages somewhat larger in body mass than the bald eagle and may be marginally larger in bill and talon size, although these linear aspects can be quite similar between
5130-456: A thousand eiders were taken here). Eiders also appeared to be the main prey species in Iceland. There is evidence that a growing white-tailed eagle population is having a net negative effect on eider numbers in some areas, and locally eiders have altered to partial nocturnal foraging apparently to avoid hunting eagles. In inland regions, an avian prey species preferred by white-tailed eagles
5301-489: A water depth of 1.5 to 2 m (4.9 to 6.6 ft). In addition to trees, they may also use crags , hillocks or high grassy tussocks as hunting perches so long as the perch provides a good overall view of the environment. Fish tend to be grabbed in a shallow dive after a short distance flight from a perch, usually with the eagles only getting their feet wet. Occasionally, though, white-tailed eagles have been recorded plunging right into water, usually while hunting on
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5472-558: A white-headed (the bald eagle) and a tan-headed species. They probably diverged in the North Pacific , spreading westwards into Eurasia and eastwards into North America . Like the third large northern species, Steller's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ), adults have yellow feet, beaks and eyes. Another species, likely intermediate between the white-tailed, bald and Steller's sea eagles and the Ichthyophaga type fish eagles,
5643-435: Is 250 to 331 mm (9.8 to 13.0 in) in males, averaging 280 mm (11 in), and 276 to 330 mm (10.9 to 13.0 in) in females, averaging 305 mm (12.0 in). Juvenile tail lengths can reach roughly 380 mm (15 in) in both sexes, however. The tarsus is 90 to 101 mm (3.5 to 4.0 in), averaging 95.5 mm (3.76 in). In terms of their killing apparatuses, their hallux claw ,
5814-458: Is a relatively weak and ponderous flier and so too may be often victimized by the eagles. Otherwise the pale plumage of adult male common eiders while they're diving is reported to make them more vulnerable to eagle attacks. Eiders were the leading prey species in Norway making 18.8% of 1612 prey items, as well as in Åland , Finland where the eider comprised 18.63% of 5161 prey items (thus nearly
5985-526: Is a white, crowned eagle with a golden beak and talons, on a red background. In Poland, the coat of arms as a whole is referred to as godło both in official documents and colloquial speech, despite the fact that other coats of arms are usually called a herb (e.g. the Nałęcz herb or the coat of arms of Finland ). This stems from the fact that in Polish heraldry , the word godło (plural: godła ) means only
6156-496: Is adorned with three roughly rectangular gemstones. The fleurons – of which the two outer ones are only partly visible – have the shape of a fleur-de-lis . The entire crown, including the gems, as well as spaces between the fleurons, is rendered in gold. The charge is placed in an escutcheon (shield) of the Modern French type. It is a nearly rectangular upright isosceles trapezoid , rounded at
6327-587: Is considered rare. Nonetheless, they have been recorded eating a few eggs, which they may carry in their beaks rather in their feet, of some seabirds such as kittiwakes , eiders , cormorants and gulls. The most widely recorded avian prey species and, second most widely recorded prey species behind the pike, is the 1.14 kg (2.5 lb) mallard, due to its circumpolar range and commonality in many wetlands areas. However, as aforementioned, healthy mallards are difficult for white-tailed eagles due to their tendency to fly at first sign of danger. However, exploiting
6498-511: Is equivalent to about 10% of the birds' body weight, with crop contents commonly of 190–560 g (0.42–1.23 lb). Some semi-captive juveniles on the isle of Rùm , Scotland could eat up to 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) in one sitting. However, in Norway, it was estimated that a family of wild white-tailed eagles including each adult and three fledglings were consuming on average up to 625 g (1.378 lb) per bird each day. Furthermore, one male consumed an estimated 2 kg (4.4 lb) in
6669-442: Is in short supply. White-tailed eagles of all ages typically perch in quite upright positions on exposed branch, rock or other vantage point, but tend to sit more horizontally on the ground or other level surfaces. They have an ample bill with a relatively high culmen, helping to impart a rather narrow and high crowned facial look, especially compared to Aquila eagles . The neck is at times unusually long-looking, more so than in
6840-435: Is known as the ern or erne (depending on spelling by sources), gray sea eagle and Eurasian sea eagle . While found across a wide range, today breeding from as far west as Greenland and Iceland across to as far east as Hokkaido , Japan , they are often scarce and spottily distributed as a nesting species, mainly due to human activities. These have included habitat alterations and destruction of wetlands , about
7011-492: Is known at this age. However, this white mottling then fades late into the fourth year and the plumage becomes less contrasting. Although sexual maturity is considered to be attained at between five and six years of age, usually the fully white tail and the uniform pale head and neck are not obtained until the eighth year. Juveniles first moult in May/June until October/November at just over one year of age. Their second moult
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7182-435: Is known in well more than half of all modern birds, essentially all predatory birds of different lineages are particularly strongly territorial because the live prey necessary to feed a family, including the female of the pair (which must remain near the young for them to survive) and the young themselves, tends to be sparser. Furthermore, appropriate habitat is needed in which to execute this hunting and also, of course, to build
7353-456: Is poor. Also, they will alternate periods of soaring with perching, especially flying over water or well-watered areas, but do considerably less soaring on average than do golden eagles. Pairs regularly roost together, often near to their nest, either on a crag or tree or crevices, overhung ledges or small isolated trees on a crag. The white-tailed eagle may be considered a rather inconsistent and partial migrant. The species seldom migrates in
7524-602: Is the Pallas's fish eagle ( Haliaeetus leucoryphus ), which in life history seems to range farther from water and to higher elevations than the three northern species normally do. Due to the similar dietary and nesting habits of sea eagles, they are mostly allopatric in distribution as competition can be considerable between these eagles. Currently, eagles occur in the Hawaiian Islands only as vagrants, but Quaternary bones of Haliaeetus have been found on three of
7695-825: Is the common bream ( Abramis brama ). This bream was reported in 10 of 18 dietary studies and was the main prey in the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve , Belarus, in the Ural mountains region of Russia, and in the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve , Russia. Breams taken by reeding eagles at Augustów Forest , Poland ranged from 0.2 to 2 kg (0.44 to 4.41 lb) in weight. Many varieties of fish are taken opportunistically and randomly, as opposed to pike and bream, which can locally appear to be selected out of proportion to their regional population. Particularly diverse in
7866-599: Is the 836 g (1.843 lb) Eurasian coot ( Fulica atra ). The coot is the second most widely represented bird prey species (and fourth species of any class known overall) in 18 dietary studies. Coots bunch together in marshy spots when approached by a flying eagle and as many as five eagles at once have been recorded attacking large flocks on the water. Coots' behaviour often endangers them to large raptors: they seldom dive, are weaker and slower fliers than most water birds and are collectively often less wary and more approachable than most waterfowl are. Coot were strongly
8037-452: Is the following year in March or April, with two more subsequent moults usually beginning around this time for the next couple of years. Like other large raptors, feathers are moulted at slow intervals so as not to inhibit food capture. Only relatively small proportions of the flight feathers are moulted each year. Moulting occurs more or less continuously, although it may pause in winter if food
8208-438: Is turned to its right. In English heraldic terminology, the arms are blazoned as Gules an eagle crowned, beaked and armed Or . In contrast to classic heraldry, where the same blazon may be rendered into varying designs, the Coat of Arms Act allows only one official rendering of the national coat of arms. The official design may be found in attachment no. 1 to the Coat of Arms Act. The nearly circular charge , i.e. ,
8379-461: Is typically large as in all Haliaeetus , ranging from 45 to 65 mm (1.8 to 2.6 in), with an average of 56.1 mm (2.21 in). The average culmen length of the bald eagle is 54.3 mm (2.14 in), thus averaging slightly smaller. However, the average culmen length in the large bald eagles of Alaska is considerably larger than other bald eagles as well as most white-tailed eagles at up to 75 mm (3.0 in) and can even rival
8550-435: Is usually more evident in flying than perched birds, with sometimes a slightly bulging section of feathers manifesting on the wing secondaries . The species tends to fly with shallow wing beats; at times the wing beats can be fairly fast for a bird of this size, but interspersed at times with gliding. At a great distance, this flight style may be suggestive of a large brown heron . The wings are held flat or slightly upraised at
8721-404: Is varied, opportunistic and seasonal. Prey specimens can often include fish, birds and, mostly in a secondary capacity, mammals. White-tailed eagles are powerful predators and capable of attacking large prey of considerable sizes but, like most predators, prefer prey that is vulnerable and easy for them to capture. Especially during the winter (and opportunistically in all seasons), many birds of
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#17327724695978892-480: The Description de l'Égypte . The name Haliaeetus is Neo-Latin for "sea-eagle", from Ancient Greek hali- , "sea-" and aetos , "eagle". The specific albicilla , "white-tailed", is from Neo-Latin albi- , "white" and cilla , "tail". The Anglo-Saxon name erne means "soarer", and it is cognate to Swedish örn and Finnish aarni . It has many Gaelic names, including iolar sùil na grèine or 'eagle of
9063-714: The Baltic Sea , western Austria , northeastern Germany , northern and eastern Poland , the Czech Republic, much of the east Baltic countries , the non-montane areas of Ukraine , eastern Slovenia , central and southern Hungary (and adjacent northeastern Croatia ), sporadically in Greece , the Danube sections of Romania and Bulgaria to the Black Sea and western and eastern Moldova . The bird returned to
9234-525: The Brahminy kite ( Haliastur indus ) (historically sometimes referred to as the "red-backed sea eagle") and the palm-nut vulture ( Gypohierax angolensis ) (which was once widely referred to as the "vulturine fish eagle"). The relation of these species to the sea eagles is partially borne out by their genetic sequencing. Other groups, beyond milvine kites and Old World vulture, of modern accipitrids that are seemingly in some way related, albeit distantly, to
9405-485: The CIE 1976 color space (see Flag of Poland – National colors for details). According to legend, the White Eagle emblem originated when Poland's legendary founder Lech saw a white eagle's nest. When he looked at the bird, a ray of sunshine from the red setting sun fell on its wings, so they appeared tipped with gold, the rest of the eagle was pure white. He was delighted and decided to settle there and placed
9576-593: The Griffon vulture ( Gys fulvus ), as the colouring of the two species is vaguely similar and they can overlap somewhat in size although the vulture can average rather heavier and longer winged. However even at long range, the relatively tiny head, distinctly curved trailing wing-edges and more raised wings make the vulture distinctive from the white-tailed eagle. Juveniles may be harder to distinguish, mainly from other sea eagles in few areas of overlap. In northern Mongolia (perhaps spilling over into southern Siberia ),
9747-512: The Levant countries, Azerbaijan and Iran down to even the Persian Gulf , albeit seldom is the species to be found commonly or reliably anywhere in these regions. Further east, rare wintering areas are known in a few small, scarce pockets of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan and Pakistan . It is a rare winter visitor to India , namely the extreme northwest and along
9918-702: The Middle East , the white-tailed eagle may still be found breeding only along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in northern Iran and southwestern Turkmenistan . Discontinuously, they are found as residents in Kazakhstan where they live in a long strip of the southern part of the country starting at the Aral Sea and the northwestern portion (but not, as far as is known, breeding in the Kazakh part of
10089-595: The Netherlands in 2006 and in 2020 the number of breeding pairs had increased to 20. It might have bred in the Faroe Islands up until the 17th century, but evidence is lacking; there are only about a dozen records of vagrant white-tailed eagles from the archipelago since 1800. In Anatolia , it only remains as a breeder in sparse and small pockets of Turkey and Georgia , taken as a region there are likely to be fewer than 30 breeding pairs in this region. In
10260-702: The Poland national football team 's shirts; a new shirt without the eagle was introduced in November 2011, prompting complaints from fans and president Bronisław Komorowski . Due to this overwhelming public pressure, the football shirts were redesigned with the eagle reinstated in the centre of the shirt in December 2011. Party per cross, quarterly 1st, barry of eight Gules and argent (for Árpáds ) and azure semé-de-lis or with label gules (for Capetian Anjou ); 2nd, Gules, an eagle argent, crowned or; 3rd, impaling Gules on
10431-605: The Russian Empire as the Vistula Land in 1867) was approved by Austria-Hungary and Wilhelm II 's Germany in 1916. A year later, the first Polish banknotes (Polish Marka) with Crowned Eagle on an indivisible shield were introduced. After regaining total independence and the creation of the Second Polish Republic (1918–1939) the White Eagle was implemented by the act of 1919. The official image of
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#173277246959710602-635: The Wigry National Park , Poland,1,062.1 g (2.342 lb) in the Rybinsk Reservoir , Russia and 1.72 kg (3.8 lb) in the Volga-Kama Nature Reserve , Russia. Thus, the mean prey size falls just slightly short of the mean prey mass of the golden eagle, which globally averages about 1.35 to 1.63 kg (3.0 to 3.6 lb). Overall, nearly 70 species of fish are known to be taken from throughout
10773-606: The alluvial wetlands of Croatia, 95% of nests were found within 4 km (2.5 mi) of deep freshwater. In some areas, white-tailed eagles readily visit commercial fish farms , carp ponds and similar areas with easily accessible food but they will usually avoid areas where human disturbances (especially noisy varieties such as construction , water sporting and heavy boating activities and hunting ) commonly occur. However, forestry activity and resulting lessened numbers of tall mature trees and large tree stands in Estonia
10944-429: The common lumpsucker ( Cyclopterus lumpus ), which averages up to 1.43 kg (3.2 lb) but is usually smaller, made up 24% of fish taken and the 2.13 kg (4.7 lb) Atlantic wolffish ( Anarhichas lupus ) made up 17% of fish taken. However, fish were secondary to birds overall in Norway. Per two studies from Sweden, fish were usually the main food unlike in Norway and Finland, and could comprise 51–60% of
11115-410: The waterfowl favoured in the avian diet tend to be highly wary and will more often than not escape. The white-tailed eagles must then attack birds at times of vulnerability or injury, or will often utilize the prey's escape tactics against them. Diving ducks and other diving water birds will be taken preferentially where they are available. In hunting diving birds, they utilize a technique of forcing
11286-523: The white-bellied sea eagle juvenile, likely a closely related species) more typical of juveniles in other species and it also dwells more so in dense, coastal forests where it feeds mostly on birds and mammals rather than fish and water birds . Outside of the genus Haliaeetus , among other extant forms, they appear to be most closely related to milvine kites and Old World vultures , based on modern forms from these subfamilies that broadly share morphological and life history traits with sea eagles:
11457-421: The ' sea eagle ', is a large bird of prey, widely distributed across temperate Eurasia . Like all eagles, it is a member of the family Accipitridae (or accipitrids) which also includes other diurnal raptors such as hawks , kites , and harriers . One of up to eleven members in the genus Haliaeetus , which are commonly called sea eagles, it is also referred to as the white-tailed sea-eagle . Sometimes, it
11628-656: The 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) red-breasted goose ( Branta ruficollis ) to the non-native 3.69 kg (8.1 lb) Canada goose ( Branta canadensis ). Goslings and juveniles are usually targeted, but adult geese are also taken, especially while incubating or weakened by various reasons. Another large water bird taken as adults are 4.98 kg (11.0 lb) common loons ( Gavia immer ). Large waders are taken when possible, including grey herons and great bitterns ( Botaurus stellaris ), both weighing between 1 and 2 kg ( 2 + 1 ⁄ 4 and 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 lb). Larger 2.93 kg (6.5 lb) black and
11799-1003: The 1932 film White Eagle (1942 short film), a Polish-British short film nominated for Best Documentary Film at the 15th Academy Awards White Eagle Enterprises, a film production company founded by Sylvester Stallone ^ The 15th Academy Awards , held in 1943, was the only one where Documentary Short and Documentary Feature were combined in one category, complete with 25 films nominated and 4 films awarded with Oscars Sports [ edit ] Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC , an Australian soccer club based in Bonnyrigg Dianella White Eagles SC , an Australian soccer club based in Perth New Town Eagles SC , originally White Eagle, an Australian soccer club based in Hobart Serbian White Eagles FC ,
11970-445: The 1979 study, 68% of the diet would have been represented by birds and only 20% by fish but comprehensive observation shifted it to show fish were the primary food at 58% and birds were secondary at 30%. This study claimed this is often because the bones of fish are dissolved by the large digestive tract of the eagles upon consumption and may thus leave almost nothing in remains and to some extent in pellets. Subsequent studies here showed
12141-692: The 3.44 kg (7.6 lb) white stork ( Ciconia ciconia ) of all ages can be preyed upon. Black and white storks are the primary prey species in the Polesie State Radioecological Reserve, Belarus, where they comprised 12.6% (second most regular prey species) and 6.3% (fourth most regular) of the diet, respectively. Large numbers of black storks were also taken in Augustów Primeval Forest where remains of nearly 50 individuals were found around eagle nests. White-tailed eagles even attack and prey on both
12312-544: The Black Sea which have been recorded 330 km (210 mi) north of their natal site and 510 km (320 mi) northeast of their natal site. Territory size in white-tailed eagles may vary from 52 to 415 km (20 to 160 sq mi), usually less than 130 km (50 sq mi), per one estimate. However, home ranges in northeastern Germany were much smaller than this, at 2.25 to 19.16 km (0.87 to 7.40 sq mi). While territorial behaviour
12483-539: The Caspian Sea coast). The only country in which the white-tailed eagle is found over a continuous and extremely large area is Russia . The species is found broadly everywhere in Russia from European Russia in the west to the Bering Sea in the east, only being fully absent as a nester as far as is known from the high Arctic regions and a section bordering westernmost Kazakhstan, although it breeds to south of this in
12654-531: The Hawaiian mtDNA lineage probably diverged around the Middle Pleistocene. Thus, although not clearly differentiated in morphology from its relatives, the Hawaiian eagle likely represented an isolated, resident population in the Hawaiian archipelago for more than 100,000 years, where it was the largest terrestrial predator. The reasons for its extinction are unknown. The white-tailed eagle is one of
12825-611: The Netherlands, even with infrequent modern breeding in the northern coastal areas. A wintering population is known in western Germany from North Rhine-Westphalia to Bonn , as well as far northern Germany. In Denmark, they both breed and winter throughout much of the country, but in particular the Wadden Sea region attracts many white-tailed eagles, mostly immatures, from elsewhere in Denmark and neighbouring countries during
12996-505: The Polish coat of arms during Przemysł II reign as a reminder of the Piast tradition before the fragmentation of Poland. The eagle's graphic form has changed throughout centuries. Its recent shape, accepted in 1927, was designed by professor Zygmunt Kamiński and was based on the eagle's form from the times of Stefan Batory 's reign. It was adapted to stamps or round shields rather than to
13167-561: The Ponca, politician, and civil rights leader White Eagle (album) , a 1982 album by Tangerine Dream White Eagle ( Twilight: 2000 ) , a 1990 tabletop game adventure White Eagle, Oklahoma , US, an unincorporated community White Eagle Aviation , a Polish airline The White Eagle Lodge , a spiritual organization in England See also [ edit ] Order of the White Eagle (disambiguation) White-tailed eagle ,
13338-525: The Republic of Poland, and State Seals Act ( Ustawa o godle, barwach i hymnie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej oraz o pieczęciach państwowych ) of 1980 with subsequent amendments (henceforth referred to as "the Coat of Arms Act"). The Crown was restored on December 31, 1989 by the Act of December 29, 1989 amending the Constitution of the Polish People's Republic (Article 1, point 19). However, the new emblem design
13509-910: The Russian Far East are known to occasionally disperse across the Bering Sea to North America in several parts of the Aleutian Islands , the Pribilof Islands and some of mainland coastal Alaska down to Kodiak Island . Some white-tailed eagles even bred in Alaska on Attu Island in the late 1970s to the early 1980s (until 1984 when the last attempts were recorded) but it was not clear whether young were ever successfully fledged. White-tailed eagles may be found in varied habitat but usually are closely associated with water and generally occurs in lowland areas. Although mainly
13680-903: The Russian coastal part of the Caspian Sea. Their northern limits occur in Russia to the Ob river to 70 degrees north at the mouth of the Yenisei River and on the Gyda and Yamal Peninsulas , to the Kolyma , Indigirka and Lena rivers to above 72 degrees north, even to 75 degrees north on the Taymyr Peninsula . They are said to be common around the White Sea , reportedly even the most abundant bird of prey locally and found both on coasts and inland lakes, although breeding rates are low due to
13851-577: The Scandinavian countries, up to at least 30–50 individuals. Wintering congregations at the Baltic coast and on the River Elbe from 37 winters show that arrivals begin in November, with numbers peaking in January and then declining during March and early April. Although juveniles usually return to their natal area some apparently overshoot these areas, such as those returning to Romania or on
14022-517: The Steller's sea eagle may rival it in that respect. In one sample from Norway , five male white-tailed eagles were found to average 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) and eight females were found to average 2.37 m (7 ft 9 in). In another sample of wild birds of unspecified origin, five males were found to average 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and seven females averaged 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in). Record wingspans have included
14193-493: The White Sea were found well over 2,000 km (1,200 mi) away to the west, in countries such as Hungary and Italy. Return spring migration to the White Sea is by February–March. During winter, whether long-distance migrants or short-distance dispersers, white-tailed eagles tend to become gregarious, especially younger immature birds. Many such groups can contain up to 10 and, in areas near large breeding populations such as
14364-542: The adults, although the juveniles typically have a somewhat larger average wing and tail length than the adults. In the white-tailed eagle, body mass can typically range from 4 to 6.9 kg (8.8 to 15.2 lb) in females. The slightly smaller male may typically weigh from 3.1 to 5.4 kg (6.8 to 11.9 lb). Average weights in European white-tailed eagles can range from 4.02 kg (8.9 lb) in five males and 5.11 kg (11.3 lb) in nine females to (from
14535-565: The aforementioned water birds are modest of size and taken largely due to ease (diving water birds, whether healthy or infirm, and usually infirm or moulting dabbling water birds), white-tailed eagles routinely attack larger water birds as well. In many areas, large numbers of greylag geese ( Anser anser ), Europe's largest native wild goose, are taken. For example, they were the main prey, making up 28.2% of 192 prey items, for wintering eagles in Oostvaardersplassen , Netherlands, and
14706-513: The average female white-tailed eagle (the average weight of male Steller's is not known) while the average European golden eagle may weigh about 11–12% less than the average European white-tailed eagle and the bald eagle species as a whole about 10% less than the white-tailed eagle species. The most reliable method to sex birds is by tarsus width and depth and bill depth but these are infrequently measured. In some cases females are as much as 25% heavier and 15% greater in linear dimensions, though
14877-416: The bald eagle and Steller's sea eagle, which in adults are different in all other respects of plumage. Even in poor light, the bald species shows a sharp demarcation from white to dark brown whereas the colour contrast is far subtler in white-tailed eagles between their brown body (of a paler hue than that of a bald eagle) and buff-coloured head. At a great distance, the adult may be potentially confusable with
15048-448: The bald eagle, which can give the upper body a vulturine appearance. The tail is relatively short, and in some adults it can appear disproportionately stubby in relation to the massive body, and slightly wedge-shaped. All ages have a well-feathered tibia but bare tarsi . In flight, the wings are extremely broad and deeply fingered, with the usual tendency for at least six fingers to be visible. Juveniles are longer tailed than adults, which
15219-457: The bill, cere , feet and eyes. Juvenile and immature white-tailed eagles are a much darker brown than the adults and are more unevenly marked, with whitish feather edgings variably showing, mostly manifesting in some small areas of the underside and under-wing, with a narrow white axillary strip usually apparent. The upperside is usually similarly darkish brown but variable based on extent of blackish-brown tip to otherwise buff-brown feathers of
15390-622: The birds mobbing them, including large gulls and even a northern goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis ). As an opportunistic predator, it often takes young birds freely as well as adult and fledged juvenile birds. In general, due to different nesting situations, white-tailed eagles instead of dabbling or diving water birds usually attack the more conspicuous or open nests of gulls, those of several other types of seabird , large corvids or other accipitrids. In Germany and Scotland, up to 86% of gulls taken were nestlings and juveniles. Cases of white-tailed eagles eating eggs, instead of nestlings or older birds,
15561-784: The birds to dive repeatedly to avoid attacks, until the victim is exhausted from the efforts and can then be caught. Usually while hunting like this, the white-tailed eagle tends to circle low to stay close to the intended victim, with birds diving in shallower water being preferred. Ducks with conspicuous plumage, such as male common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ), with their pale plumage, may be easier to see under water and so may be taken somewhat more via this hunting method. Beyond waterfowl, both loons and grebes have been seen to be successfully hunted in this way. Eagles were recorded doing up to 12 attacks on eiders in Russia and were usually successful in procuring prey. Even as many as 65 passes have recorded in less than 45 minutes but more than
15732-421: The border of Nepal to Bhutan and extreme northern Bangladesh . Scattered pockets of wintering birds are known to occur too in central and southern China , into northeastern Myanmar , and more broadly and regularly in much of Northeast China. Good numbers winter too in much of South Korea and Japan down to as far as Honshu . White-tailed eagles dispersing from their breeding grounds or natal sites in
15903-422: The bottom, whose upper base is slightly longer than the lower one, from the middle of which extends downwards a pointed tip. Although the shield is an integral part of the coat of arms, Polish law stipulates, in certain cases, to only use the charge without the escutcheon. The shades of the principal tinctures, white ( Argent ) and red ( Gules ), which are the national colors of Poland, are specified as coordinates in
16074-466: The center of their home range habitat. In some areas, such as Japan, this species may occur in regions with intensive human fishing activity and they may become unusually partially habituated to this human presence. Inland, white-tailed eagles usually require secluded woods, forested areas or groups of trees with tall mature trees and access to freshwater wetlands such as lakes , river systems , marshes or extensive, low-disturbance farmland . In
16245-471: The coat of arms (which resembled the emblem of Stanislaus Augustus ) was redesigned in 1927 by Zygmunt Kamiński. This design was introduced by law on 13 December of that year before coming into effect on 29 March 1928. According to the research of Polish heraldist Jerzy Michta published in 2017, the version designed by Kamiński was actually plagiarized from a 1924 medal by Elisa Beetz-Charpentier made in honor of Ignacy Paderewski . After World War II ,
16416-534: The colder months, especially in coastal areas such as Norway when preferred fish prey often move to deeper water during winter. Among both fish and bird prey, it is thought that a majority that are caught weigh between 0.5 and 3 kg (1.1 and 6.6 lb). At times it has been said that "most" prey of white-tailed eagles will weigh only 0.5 to 1 kg (1.1 to 2.2 lb). However, the mean prey sizes caught can show greater variability. Three studies showed that mean prey size varied from 578 g (1.274 lb) in
16587-428: The colouring, the bald juvenile is similarly as dark or even darker brown above as white-tailed eagle juveniles but on the underside often has more extensive whitish mottling, especially on the underwing. Steller's sea eagles are usually distinctly larger and longer tailed, with a taller, bulkier look in eagles standing on the ground or perched. Steller's juveniles have a different wing shape (roughly paddle-shaped) and
16758-528: The communist authorities of the Polish People's Republic removed the crown from the eagle's head. Still, Poland was one of the few countries in the Eastern Bloc with no communist symbols (red stars, ears of wheat, hammers, etc.) on either its flag or its coat of arms. The crownless design was approved by resolution in 1955. To counter that, the Polish government in exile introduced a new emblem with
16929-574: The diet. Fish were also somewhat dominant in the foods from two studies in Belarus, making up 48.1–53.7% of the diet. Fish similarly were important to nesting eagles in Hokkaido, Japan where 54% of 533 prey items were fish, led by the 800 g (1.8 lb) Alaska pollock ( Gadus chalcogrammus ) at 18.4%. In different studies of the Danube Delta of Romania, from 44.6% to 79% of the diet
17100-447: The distinction of a subspecies. However, the population appears to be demographically isolated and deserves special protection. At one time an eastern subspecies ( H. a. brooksi ) was proposed as well but there is little evidence supporting this as more than a case of clinal variation in colouring and size (i.e. the eastern average slightly darker and smaller than more westerly ones). As in other sea-eagle species pairs, this one consists of
17271-1213: The dominant food in Wigry National Park, Poland where they made up 44.1% of 299 items, and were also the leading prey in Augustów Primeval Forest (Poland) where they made up 11.59% of the foods. Overall at Wigry and Augustów, birds altogether made up 66.2% and 47.83% of the diets, respectively. In the Danube Delta, Romania, birds climbed in importance of the diet from 21% in 1970 to 50% by 2015, thanks largely to increased numbers of coots. In total, about 38 species of waterfowl are known to be hunted, as well as all available species of loons and grebes, several types of rails , tubenoses as well as herons , storks and other assorted large waders. White-tailed eagles also are known to hunt some 42 species of shorebird , most significantly gulls and alcids . Even shorebirds as small as 21.1 g (0.74 oz) little stint ( Calidris minuta ), 62.6 g (2.21 oz) wood sandpiper ( Tringa glareola ) and 64 g (2.3 oz) common ringed plover ( Charadrius hiaticula ) are known to be preyed upon, albeit quite rarely. More than
17442-472: The eagle on his emblem. He also named the place Gniezdno (currently Gniezno ) from the Polish word gniazdo ("nest"). The symbol of an eagle appeared for the first time on the coins made during the reign of Bolesław I (992–1025), initially as the coat of arms of the Piast dynasty . Beginning in the 12th century, the eagle has appeared on the shields, ensigns, coins, and seals of the Piast dukes. It appeared on
17613-459: The eagle's head. The redesigned coat of arms was adopted by law on 22 February 1990. The eagle appears on many public administration buildings, it is present in schools and courts. Furthermore, it is placed on the obverse of Polish coins . However the issue on which conditions it should be exposed and how it should be interpreted is the topic of numerous debates in Poland. The eagle was formerly on
17784-403: The female when receiving food from male calls out with tschie-tschie or vueee-vueee . Single or repeated krlee or similar component of calls used in other circumstances, can be variable. Alarm calls tend to be 3–4 short, loud klee or klek notes. Sometimes a different call of alarm or anger, a deep gah-gah-gah or jok-jok-jok , similar to alarm calls of a large gull , is also uttered when
17955-500: The fish prey will float to the surface when infected by fish tapeworm , as is often the case with some fish families such as carp . Fish are also caught after being battered, injured, and killed at power plants, from large-scale fishing nets, or are taken directly from human fishermen. Benthic fish which tend to cling to rocks or sandy soil in shallows may be more vulnerable since they tend to look downward rather than upward and are less competent at escaping predators coming from above
18126-456: The flight of predators and may even kill some intended predators when it is in large quantity, and young juvenile eagles, being less cautious and experienced, are most prone to being severely "oiled". Alcids such as murres tend to become especially important in the diet of eagles in coastal Norway during winter, especially near offshore islands, when coastal fish tend to move to deeper waters. At least eight species of dabbling duck are known in
18297-555: The frigid weather. From Russia, breeding populations spill somewhat into northernmost Mongolia, extreme northwestern China and northern North Korea . The white-tailed eagle also breeds on Sakhalin Island , the Kuril Islands and Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The wintering range is less well understood for the white-tailed eagle given the extreme reductions and fluctuations of northern breeding populations over
18468-704: The hunting success rates on healthy birds can be low as revealed in studying wintering eagles in Sweden attempting to hunt mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ). White-tailed eagles also regularly pirate food from otters and other birds including cormorants , gulls , ospreys , corvids and various other raptors . Carrion is often the primary food source during lean winter months, with fish and ungulates preferred but everything from cetaceans to livestock to even humans being eaten after death. From studies of captive white-tailed eagles, daily food requirements were estimated at 500 to 600 g (1.1 to 1.3 lb), which
18639-404: The image of the white eagle, is highly stylized. The heraldic bird is depicted with its wings and legs outstretched, its head turned to the right, in a pose known in heraldry as 'displayed'. The eagle's plumage, as well as its tongue and leg scales are white with gradient shading suggestive of a bas-relief . Each wing is adorned with a curved band extending from the bird's torso to the upper edge of
18810-539: The invader's emblem. The Poles conscientiously collected coins from the pre-partitions period with the eagle on their obverse and reverse. The symbol of the eagle, often with Pogonia , appeared on numerous flags and emblems of the November Uprising . The resurrection of the Polish Kingdom (Polish Regency) in the territories of the former Congress Poland (which had been partitioned and annexed by
18981-536: The largest living birds of prey. It is the largest of the dozen species of eagle found in Europe and the largest eagle across its distribution, excluding the Russian Far East and (during the winter) Hokkaido, Japan, where it co-exists with its larger cousin, Steller's sea eagle. The white-tailed eagle is sometimes considered the fourth largest eagle in the world and is, on average, the fourth heaviest eagle in
19152-457: The largest males perhaps the heaviest recorded modern male eagle, as male harpy and Philippine eagles (being more sexually dimorphic in favour of the female) are not known to exceed 5 kg (11 lb) (the highest weights for male Steller's sea eagle are not known). The global mean body mass of white-tailed eagles is estimated at approximately 5 kg (11 lb). The average female Steller's sea eagle may weigh just under 25% more than
19323-578: The largest seabirds they encounter, such as great cormorants ( Phalacrocorax carbo ), and in some cases, such as in the Baltic Sea, have nearly destroyed whole colonies, from the eggs to the adults which average about 2.57 kg (5.7 lb). In the Estonian island of Hiiumaa , home to at least 25 pairs of sea eagles, as many as 26 individuals have been observed simultaneously culling a single cormorant colony. Similarly large numbers were taken of
19494-421: The largest talon on all accipitrids, is 37 to 46 mm (1.5 to 1.8 in) in length, averaging 40.9 mm (1.61 in). The hallux claw averages about a centimeter less than that of a golden eagle and is more sharply curved, an adaptation to prevent escape of slippery prey such as fish, while that of a bald eagle is similarly about 40.4 mm (1.59 in) and of similar curvature. The exposed culmen
19665-454: The largest wingspan of any living eagle. The Steller's sea eagle, which is larger in weight, total length and non-wing standard measurements, may be the closest rival for median wingspan amongst living eagles. The white-tailed eagle does appear to outsize the average wingspan of the wedge-tailed eagle ( Aquila audax ), which is sometimes also titled the largest winged extant eagle due to an exceptionally large individual shot in 1931, although
19836-402: The last call ended with a lower ko-ko-ko , the perched call of females is similar but deeper, a krau-krau-krau-uik-ik . Typically, the perched version of their calls tend to be shriller and higher than those issued in flight. In courtship display, male calls krau-krau-krau-uik-ik-ik answered by females with a lower ra-rack-rack-rack-rack . Young in nest call a shrilly piieh-piieh , while
20007-489: The last few centuries, so that the delineation of regular wintering areas versus areas of mere vagrancy is difficult to ascertain. It is known that a small number winter on Etang de Lindre of Lorraine , France as well as an area on the border of France to Germany around Strasbourg , with vagrants to elsewhere in France, as well as to Spain , Portugal and Malta . A well-defined wintering population may occur in much of
20178-476: The latest, possibly (if the most ancient fossil record is correctly assigned to this genus) as early as the early or middle Oligocene , about 28 mya . A recent genetic study of mitochondrial DNA is consistent with this idea. Greenlandic white-tailed eagles (proposed as H. a. groenlandicus ) form, on evolutionary time scales, a relatively recently founded population that has not yet accumulated many unique genetic characteristics and may not strictly fulfill
20349-410: The law confusing, open to various interpretations and often not followed in practice. According to Chapter I, Article 28, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, the coat of arms of Poland is an image of a crowned white eagle in a red field . The Coat of Arms Act, Article 4, further specifies that the crown, as well as the eagle's beak and talons, are golden. The eagle's wings are outstretched and its head
20520-607: The leading prey species is the salmonid, the Arctic char ( Salvelinus alpinus ), which comprised 27.2% of 660 prey items. The secondary prey in Greenland was recorded as two species of cod . While the average weight of cod taken here was estimated at only 420 to 640 g (0.93 to 1.41 lb) and the average char at 660 to 740 g (1.46 to 1.63 lb), The eagles occasionally brought larger individuals up to 2.2 kg (4.9 lb) for cods and up to 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) for chars respectively. In Norway, of 524 fish prey items,
20691-417: The length (but perhaps not the girth) of the truly massive bill of the Steller's sea eagle. The adult white-tailed eagle is a greyish mid-brown colour overall. The plumage is fairly uniform over most of the body and wings, but the upper wing coverts are typically somewhat paler. In the adult, the head, neck and upper breast have a distinctly paler appearance than the rest of the plumage and most often have
20862-403: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White_Eagle&oldid=1246555301 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Coat of arms of Poland The coat of arms of Poland
21033-443: The major islands. An ancient DNA study published in 2015 characterized the rapidly evolving mitochondrial control region of one of these specimens. DNA from a ~3,500-year-old sea eagle skeleton found in a lava cave on Maui was sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that the Hawaiian eagle represents a distinct (>3% divergent) mtDNA lineage that is most closely related to extant white-tailed eagles. Based on fossil calibration,
21204-440: The mallard's flightlessness during eclipse plumage may result in eagles hunting them intensely only in late summer. Due to this mallards are usually a secondary prey species year around. The largest known representation of mallards in the diet were from Müritz National Park in Germany, where mallards were the third best represented prey species at 10.1% of 247 items and from Augustów Primeval Forest in Poland, where mallards were
21375-413: The mantle, back and upper wing. The head of the juvenile is normally a blackish-brown hue, somewhat darker and always more uniform than most of the other feathers. The juvenile's tail tends to be a washed out greyish-cream colour with messy blackish colour on the feather edges and on the tips. Some individual juveniles may exhibit some faint barring on the tail while others may appear largely dirty whitish on
21546-600: The most complete picture attainable. During winter, mammal prey can become more important in foods locally, as indicated in Scotland and shown in Norway and eastern Germany. As much as 41% of the diet can be made up of mammals, as was the case on the Kola Peninsula . There is evidence of strong seasonal shifts in food habits in several parts of the range, usually the largest portions of fish are caught during warmer months while birds and mammals are more important in
21717-411: The most diverse group in their prey spectrum. While hunting birds, this massive, relatively slow-flying eagle requires an element of surprise, with often a tactful use of cover or bright sunlight upon the approach from a nearby perch. For example, grey herons ( Ardea cinerea ) have been caught after an eagle used a low flight over turbulent water to ambush them. However, even with a stealthy attack,
21888-461: The northern part of the Caspian Sea and some central and southern parts of Kazakhstan, the white-tailed eagle may (or may not) live alongside the rarer, relatively poorly-known Pallas's fish eagle . The Pallas's juveniles are more distinctively whitish marked on the underwing. In flight or perched, the Pallas's fish eagle are usually markedly smaller and slighter than white-tailed eagles with
22059-822: The prey spectrum. Due to the social inclination of dabbling ducks, they perhaps have the most success hunting isolated birds but they've also been taken from panic-stricken flocks as well. Despite the difficulty of taking them, dabbling ducks of unidentified species were found to be the main food of white-tailed eagles in Lake Baikal , where they comprised 51.8% of 199 prey items. In Fennoscandia , they are attracted to coastal waters during winter to attack large numbers of diving ducks including eiders, common goldeneye ( Bucephala clangula ), goosander ( Mergus merganser ) and red-breasted merganser ( Mergus serrator ), tufted ducks ( Aythya fuligula ) and scoters . Year around in Åland , 66.2% of 5161 food items were birds, while in
22230-620: The primary position in the diet. From 26 accumulated food studies for this species, prey remains and pellets show that about 48.5% of the diet is made up of birds, 39.95% by fish, 9.95% by mammals and 1.6% by other foods. In total, more than 300 prey species are known throughout the bird's range. However, based on studies of prey remains and pellets in laboratories from Greenland white-tailed eagles, birds were shown to be biased in both kinds of remains (pellets and prey remains) whereas in situ study and direct nest observation favour fish. Going on pellet/remains alone here in Greenland from 557 items in
22401-422: The rapidly increasing Danish population have found that when well-protected, they may regularly forage in habitats near significant humans populations, even in the outskirts of cities, and they can also successfully breed in such locations. White-tailed eagles spend much of their day perched on trees or crags, and may often not move for hours. Perhaps up to 90% of a day may be spent perched, especially if weather
22572-548: The reintroduced birds of Scotland of Norwegian stock) 4.98 kg (11.0 lb) in 39 males and 6.06 kg (13.4 lb) in 43 females. In comparison, the weight ranges for white-tailed eagles from Northeast China were claimed to be only 2.8 to 3.78 kg (6.2 to 8.3 lb) in males and 3.75 to 4.6 kg (8.3 to 10.1 lb) in females. The heaviest female white-tailed eagles can apparently weigh as much as 7.5 to 8 kg (17 to 18 lb) and even males can sometimes weigh up to 6.5 kg (14 lb), which would make
22743-413: The sea eagles include Accipiters , harriers , chanting-goshawks and buteonines . Notably excluded from their relations are most other species referred to as "eagles", including booted eagles and snake and serpent eagles . The white-tailed eagle itself forms a species pair with the bald eagle . These diverged from other sea eagles at the beginning of the early Miocene (c. 10 mya ) at
22914-425: The second most numerous prey and made up 9.84% of 803 items. Taken more preferentially where they occur are common eiders. When hunting eiders, perhaps the largest of diving ducks at a mean weight of 2.06 kg (4.5 lb), white-tailed eagles frequently force the eider to dive repeatedly until it is exhausted and can be captured. When sitting on the nest, the female common eider will try to escape in flight but
23085-573: The second most often recorded prey species in both Müritz National Park (Germany), where they made up 16.42% of 247 prey items, and in Austria, where they made up 9.5% of 349 items. They will take many goslings during summer, as greylag goslings alone can comprise up 23% of the seasonal bird prey. Fully-grown greylag geese up to 4 kg (8.8 lb), especially infirm individuals are also taken in other seasons. White-tailed eagles are also known to attack and prey on other geese, ranging in size from
23256-584: The sexes are rarely this discrepant in standard measurements. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 552 to 695 mm (21.7 to 27.4 in) in males, averaging 606 and 645 mm (23.9 and 25.4 in) in European adults and juveniles, respectively, and 646.5 mm (25.45 in) in Greenland males. In females, the wing chord may measure 605 to 740 mm (23.8 to 29.1 in), averaging 668 and 685 mm (26.3 and 27.0 in) in European adults and juveniles, respectively, and 691.3 mm (27.22 in) in Greenland females. Adult tail length
23427-461: The short summers ), northern and western Iceland , and the reintroduced populations in some areas of England (re-established in 2019 ), Ireland and Scotland, particularly conserved coastal spots. In mainland Europe the range is expanding, with Europe's largest population breeding in coastal Norway (broadly), northern and southwestern Finland , eastern Sweden , broadly in Denmark , islands of
23598-417: The size of the bird". The male call is oft transcribed as gri-gri-gri or krick-krick-krick , while the female is a deeper gra-gra-gra-gra or krau-krau-krau-krau . These will increase in tempo and pitch, with about 15–30 calls in a sequence. Often pairs will duet during early spring, in flight or from a perch. When perched, the male calls kyi-kyi-kyi-kli-kliek-yak with the head thrown back and upwards in
23769-492: The slighter, more angular skull possessed by males. In disposition, the male juveniles are said to be more highly strung and higher voiced than their female counterparts. The head gradually grows paler over several years. The whitish mottling may increase on the upperparts, belly and especially on the underwing area later into their third year (considered the first subadult plumage) and subadult birds can appear fairly blotched with white but much individual variation in colouring
23940-535: The southwesterly direction to the shores of the Baltic Sea. One from Finland was recovered 520 km (320 mi) west in northern Norway and another was found as far south as Bulgaria. In more southerly areas, winter movements are drawn-out and irregular, with most mature pairs probably never leaving their nesting haunts year-around. Those that breed on inland waterways may migrate to sea coast. German juveniles usually do not travel far, with most recorded to travel less than 50 km (31 mi) from their nests and
24111-619: The species appear to take different migratory routes in autumn and spring, traveling from north-central Kamchatka thru the Kurile islands to Hokkaido in autumn, while in spring these eagles travel north through Sakhalin and the Okhotsk Coast . In the White Sea area, southward moments begin in September with most white-tailed eagles being gone by November but in mild winters some adults may remain behind. Some white-tailed eagles from
24282-423: The species live largely as scavengers, usually by coming across available carrion or watching for the activity of corvids , vultures or other raptors. White-tailed eagles in northeastern Germany were shown to hunt mostly from perches, in a "sit-and-wait" style, usually from a prominent tree perch. Like other sea eagles, they can only capture fish normally in the littoral zone , seldom hunting fish when they exceed
24453-512: The sun's eye.' The white-tailed eagle is a member of the genus Haliaeetus , a monophylic group comprising 11 living species, including the closely related Ichthyophaga fish eagles which may or may not be part of a separate genus. The latter group, comprising the lesser ( Haliaeetus humilis ) and the grey-headed fish eagle ( Haliaeetus ichthyaetus ), differ mostly in life history, being more fully devoted to fish eating and habituating wooded areas, especially in mountainous areas. In appearance
24624-404: The tail colour is similar at the various stages of development but the shape is more distinctive, especially the bolder wedge shape of the Steller's. The cinereous vulture ( Aegypius monachus ) may too be considered superficially similar to the juvenile white-tailed eagle, but it is considerably larger and longer-winged and possesses a more uniform and darker hue with conspicuous paler legs and
24795-399: The tail. The bill of juveniles is usually almost half dark brown from the tip and half dirty, dull yellowish or grey to the base, while the feet are usually a dirty yellow and the eyes are a darkish brown. Juvenile males may average a slightly darker brown plumage with less speckling on the upper body than like-age females; their head and neck plumes may also appear shorter, which can accentuate
24966-630: The three sites in different parts of Finland birds made up 51.1% of 3152 food items. In Germany, 52.4% of 1637 prey items were birds, mostly coots and unidentified waterfowl. More locally in Germany, in Müritz National Park the percentage of birds in the diet climbs to 65.73% Birds were strongly dominant in food records from Scotland, making up 73.53% of 1930 prey items, and in Kandalaksha Nature Reserve , where they comprised 75% of 523 prey items. While most of
25137-447: The tip in flight and the white-tailed eagle is well known to soar extensively. This species can be surprisingly maneuverable on the wing, usually during aerial displays or dogfights with other birds. These eagles may also maneuver by half-closing both wings or fully closing one wing. The white-tailed eagle is considered a vocal bird of prey during the breeding season, although some authors consider their voice "not loud or impressive for
25308-583: The two Ichthyaetus are slenderer, longer tailed and more uniform and grey in colour than typical sea eagles. This species pair may not be genetically distinct enough to warrant division into separate genera. Other than these Ichthyophaga -type species found farther north in Asia, Sanford's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus sanfordi ) of the Solomon Islands is the most atypical Haliaeetus , retaining rufous-brown plumage into adulthood (this particularly resembling
25479-535: The two species. The white-tailed eagle does have a significantly larger wing chord and average wingspan than the bald eagle, but the latter usually possesses a longer tail, resulting in a larger total length than the white-tailed eagle and a larger mean tarsal length. Size variation is generally a clinal trend and is normally quantified using standard measurements such as wing, tail and tarsal length, or body mass, rather than wingspan or total length. As expected for many widely distributed animals of varied lineages,
25650-469: The water to the nearest bank or shore. While this would leave them waterlogged, of course, the food yield from such a catch is obviously attractive. White-tailed eagles have been photographed doing this with a large fish successfully in Greenland and 35 such cases were reported in Norway alone. The most frequently recorded prey species in 18 food studies from across the range is the northern pike ( Esox lucius ), present in at least 16 of those studies. Pike
25821-525: The water's surface. Therefore, lurking benthic fish such as lumpsuckers are more vulnerable than many. Besides vulnerability, habitat, and prey behavior, fish body size may be a driver in the piscivore's dietary preferences. White-tailed eagles usually can take various fish from 0.1 to 8 kg (0.22 to 17.64 lb), but fish ranging 0.5 to 3 kg (1.1 to 6.6 lb) typically preferred. Similarly, studies have indicated that fish less than 20 cm (7.9 in) are taken infrequently, since they have
25992-517: The western part of its range, with eagles even breeding as far north as Greenland, Iceland and coastal Norway not moving at all for winter, but for some southward juvenile movements following dispersal. Juveniles overall are more migratory and dispersive and leave natal areas sooner, which is by August–September in northwestern Europe and return later, by March/April, than adults do. Few Norwegian juveniles, per banding studies, were recorded to travel any considerable distance. Extreme cases include one that
26163-622: The white-tailed eagle and tends to be more dashing in flight, which is usually done with a distinct dihedral. When perched, the golden eagle looks more sleek and compact than the rangier white-tailed eagle and tends to be a darker, richer hue of brown. Golden eagles have a much shorter neck, with a smaller head and bill and a longer, squarer tail. White wing patches of juveniles are also differently distributed in golden than juvenile white-tailed eagles. This eagle breeds in northern Europe and northern Asia. Their range extends to as far west as southern Greenland (prevented from breeding further north due to
26334-563: The white-tailed eagle conforms to Bergmann's rule in that more northerly birds tend to outsize those found relatively closer to the Equator . Average size also decreases from west to east across its distribution. The largest white-tailed eagles appear to be found in Greenland , these being slightly larger than those from Ireland , Scotland and Scandinavia and notably larger than eagles from central Europe , especially in proportions of
26505-400: The white-tailed eagle's prey spectrum are the family Cyprinidae , of which more than 20 species are known to be predated including the common bream. Others taken with some preference may include salmonids and cod and their allies , both families known to obtain relatively large body sizes and occasional habituate shallow water, as well as lumpsuckers because they are benthic. In Greenland,
26676-559: The white-tailed eagle's range. White-tailed eagles can hunt fish in fresh or saltwater as well as those that prefer brackish water areas. However, they are restricted to taking fish in extremely shallow water, often by preference in water less than 1 m (3.3 ft) deep. Ideal fishing areas can be found in areas such as the Baltic Sea, where low coasts and archipelagos often have relatively shallow water. While healthy, large fish are often taken as well, white-tailed eagles often take out sickly, injured, or already dead fish. In some cases,
26847-537: The wing area. Those from the southerly portions of the breeding range, such as Asia Minor (principally Turkey ), southern Kazakhstan , and Korea Bay , appear to be the smallest-bodied population but there have been limited measurements and published weights known for these extremely sporadic and rare Asian populations of eagle. Furthermore, weights of fully grown eagles from Greenland are not known. Unlike many accipitrids, juvenile white-tailed eagles (and seemingly other sea eagles as well) are often of similar weight to
27018-591: The wing at a height of at least 200 m (660 ft). In Norway, plunge-diving is considered rare. At times they will also fish by wading into shallows, often from shores or gravel islands. The species will at times variously follow fishing boats , readily exploits commercial fisheries , stocked lakes , carp ponds and the like, and scavenges dead fish or fish-offal in a wide range of situations. When it comes to non-fish prey, it has been said that white-tailed eagles often hunt by flying low over sea coast or lakeshore and attempt to surprise victims. However,
27189-574: The wing shape of a white-tailed eagle but are far smaller and shorter winged and never bear a protruding head. Similarly, the eastern imperial eagle ( Aquila heliaca ) may suggest a white-tailed eagle in its flat wing profile and relatively large head and neck but is also visibly smaller with far less broad wings and a relatively longer tail. Like all Clanga and Aquila , both greater spotted and eastern imperial eagles should be obviously distinct from white-tailed eagles by plumage characteristics. The golden eagle usually appears slightly smaller than
27360-414: The wing, terminating in a heraldic cinquefoil (a stylized five-leafed plant). Three of its leaves are embossed like a trefoil (note similar trefoils in the medieval designs of the eagle). In heraldic terms, the eagle is "armed", that is to say, its beak and talons are rendered in gold, in contrast to the body. The crown on the eagle's head consists of a base and three fleurons extending from it. The base
27531-444: The winter. Other established wintering areas are known in Europe in west-central Italy , northern Austria, fairly broadly in southern Slovakia and northern Hungary and a few protected pockets of Southeast Europe apart from the portions in the north and east where they still breed. Intermittent forms of vagrancy and migration (most from eagles that breed in or disperse from Russia) are known to occur in several areas of Turkey,
27702-499: The world. The only extant eagle species known to be more massive in mean bulk are the Steller's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ), the harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) and the Philippine eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ). The white-tailed eagle measures anywhere from 66 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) in total length with a typical wingspan of 1.78 to 2.45 m (5 ft 10 in to 8 ft 0 in). This species may have
27873-400: The year near large bodies of open water, including coastal saltwater areas and inland freshwater lakes , wetlands, bogs and rivers . It requires old-growth trees or ample sea cliffs for nesting, and an abundant food supply of fish and birds (largely water birds ) amongst nearly any other available prey. Both a powerful apex predator and an opportunistic scavenger , it forms
28044-537: The young and adults of 5.1 kg (11 lb) common cranes ( Grus grus ). The largest waterbirds species preyed upon are swans, including mute ( Cygnus olor ), whooper ( Cygnus cygnus ) and Bewick's swans ( Cygnus columbianus bewickii ). While cygnets and disabled birds (either by natural conditions such as ice or by human hunters) are at the greatest risk for eagle predation, white-tailed eagles have preyed upon even healthy adult swans up to 10 kg (22 lb). They are reported to have attacked and eaten
28215-608: Was comprised by fish, led by the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) and Prussian carp ( Carassius gibelio ). Similarly, in Podlaskie Voivodeship , Poland 55% of all the identified fish species brought to the nest were common carps, up to 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) in weight with the mean mass of 493 g (1.087 lb). However, there are reports that white-tailed eagles managed to catch extreme sizes of carps, up to 15 kg (33 lb)in weight. White-tailed eagles are known to prey on about 170 species of bird,
28386-469: Was found 720 km (450 mi) south of its nest near Karlstad , Sweden, another set of four colour-marked first-year juveniles were also recorded to turn up in southern Sweden but one was found down to the Wadden Sea in the Netherlands and it is likely that trickling down numbers of Norwegian post-dispersal juveniles have gone onto form much of the known Dutch white-tailed eagle population. In contrast, young from Finland and Sweden tend to distribute to
28557-419: Was found to affect breeding white-tailed eagles less so than it seemed to affect breeding black storks ( Ciconia nigra ). On the other hand, from studying wintering white-tailed eagles in partially or heavily disturbed wetlands in parts of the Netherlands shows that such areas cannot support the eagles for any long-term period and may only be visited for a day or two by individual eagles. Conversely, reviews of
28728-826: Was found to be the main prey species in both the Baltic Sea and Lapland in Sweden, at three breeding locations in Finland, in two studies from Germany, and in Belarus . The maximum representation of pike known was in Lapland, where they comprised 38.2% of 809 food items. While an average mature weight for a pike is around 1.4 kg (3.1 lb), white-tailed eagles often attack larger-sized pike, with an estimated average weight range of 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11.0 lb). The largest pike taken by white-tailed eagles were even estimated to weigh around 12 to 15 kg (26 to 33 lb). The next most widely reported fish prey species
28899-399: Was found with the disembodied feet of a white-tailed eagle still embedded in its back, presumed the eagle drowned after being overpowered and drug under only to rot off, leaving only feet. Since they do not have the waterproofing oils on the plumage of the more accomplished raptorial diver, the osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ), white-tailed eagles prefer not to get their feathers wet as it can take
29070-444: Was introduced only on February 22, 1990, by the Act of February 9, 1990 amending the provisions on the coat of arms, colors and anthem of the Republic of Poland. Legislation concerning the national symbols is far from perfect. The Coat of Arms Act has been amended several times and refers extensively to executive ordinances, some of which have never been issued. Moreover, the Act contains errors, omissions and inconsistencies which make
29241-743: Was valid until February 21, 1990. In addition to the lack of a crown and other rosettes, there is a significant deformation of the eagle's head and eye compared to the pre-war eagle. The current version of the Emblem is consistent with the Act of February 22, 1990. Significant modifications by Andrzej Heidrich are visible compared to the pre-war eagle created by Zygmunt Kamiński. White-tailed eagle Falco albicilla Linnaeus, 1758 Falco melanaetos Linnaeus, 1766 Falco ossifragus Linnaeus, 1766 Haliaeetus albicilla albicilla Haliaeetus albicilla groenlandicus The white-tailed eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ), sometimes known as
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