There are 5 recognized subspecies of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), a large bird of prey found in Europe, Asia, and North America. These subspecies are distinguished by their geographical distribution and slight variations in appearance and behavior.
The 5 Subspecies of White-Tailed Eagles
- Haliaeetus albicilla albicilla (Nominate Subspecies)
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Found in Europe, including Greenland, Iceland, and Russia.
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Haliaeetus albicilla groenlandicus
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Found in Greenland and Canada.
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Haliaeetus albicilla pallidus
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Found in central and eastern Siberia.
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Haliaeetus albicilla kamtchatica
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Found in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands in Russia.
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Haliaeetus albicilla carlottae
- Found in the Aleutian Islands and Alaska.
Characteristics of White-Tailed Eagles
Image source: white tailed eagle by Andreas Weith
White-tailed eagles are large birds of prey, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters and a body weight of up to 7 kg. They have a distinctive white tail, which is visible only in adult birds. Juvenile birds have a brown tail with a white terminal band. The body is mostly brown, with some white markings on the head and neck. The beak is large and yellow, with a dark tip, and the legs and feet are yellow, with large talons.
Feeding Habits
White-tailed eagles are opportunistic feeders, with a diet that includes fish, waterfowl, mammals, and carrion. They prefer to catch fish at the surface of the water, but they can also dive to catch fish underwater. They have been known to take prey as large as seals and young deer, and they are also known to scavenge on carcasses of dead animals.
Breeding and Nesting
White-tailed eagles are solitary birds, with a home range of up to several hundred square kilometers. They are monogamous and form life-long pairs. The female lays two or three eggs in a large nest made of branches and lined with moss and other soft materials. The eggs are incubated for about 38 days, and the chicks fledge after about 70-100 days. The parents continue to feed the chicks for several months after they leave the nest.
Conservation Status
White-tailed eagles are a conservation success story, with populations recovering from historic lows due to conservation efforts and the ban on pesticides like DDT. However, they still face threats from habitat loss, collision with power lines, and lead poisoning from spent ammunition. In some areas, they are still persecuted by humans due to fears of predation on livestock or game animals.
References:
– Wikipedia – White-tailed Eagle
– European Raptors – White-tailed Eagle
– BirdLife International – List of Eagle Species
– A-Z Animals – White-tailed Eagle
– Discover Wildlife – Facts About White-tailed Eagles
