White-bellied sea eagles are large birds of prey that belong to the family Accipitridae. These majestic birds are known for their impressive size, with a wingspan ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 meters (6-7 feet). As apex predators, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and their diet is a topic of great interest.
What Do White Bellied Sea Eagles Eat?
White-bellied sea eagles are opportunistic carnivores, and their diet consists of a wide variety of animal prey. While they primarily feed on aquatic animals such as fish, turtles, and sea snakes, they also readily consume birds, mammals, and even carrion.
Aquatic Prey
- Fish: White-bellied sea eagles are skilled hunters and will often swoop down to the water’s surface to catch fish, including various species of freshwater and saltwater fish.
- Turtles: These birds are known to prey on turtles, including the eastern long-necked turtle and other aquatic turtle species.
- Sea Snakes: White-bellied sea eagles are adept at catching and consuming sea snakes, which are a common part of their diet.
Avian Prey
- Waterbirds: White-bellied sea eagles have been observed hunting and consuming a variety of waterbirds, such as ducks, grebes, and coots.
- Seabirds: These birds of prey are known to target seabirds, including little penguins, shearwaters, and gannets.
- Other Birds: In addition to aquatic and seabirds, white-bellied sea eagles have been known to prey on terrestrial birds, such as cockatoos, parrots, and various passerines (songbirds).
Mammalian Prey
- Flying Foxes: White-bellied sea eagles have been recorded hunting and consuming flying foxes, a type of large bat found in Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Other Mammals: While not as common, these birds of prey have also been known to target small to medium-sized mammals, such as rabbits and various macropods (kangaroos and wallabies).
Carrion
In addition to hunting live prey, white-bellied sea eagles are also known to feed on carrion, or dead animals. They have been observed stealing food from their own species, including their mates, by striking them with outstretched talons from above or by flying upside down while screeching shrilly.
Hunting Strategies
Image source: bellied sea eagle by shankar s
White-bellied sea eagles are skilled hunters and will attack prey up to the size of a swan. They often hunt alone, in pairs, or in family groups, and a pair may cooperate to hunt. These birds are exceptionally efficient at digesting their food, disgorging only tiny pellets of fragmented bone, fur, and feathers.
Habitat and Interactions with Other Raptors
White-bellied sea eagles are found in coastal and inland areas throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. In areas where they share the same habitat with other raptors, such as the wedge-tailed eagle, the two species tend to occupy different niches. Wedge-tailed eagles typically hunt away from water, while white-bellied sea eagles forage along the lake shores and coastlines. While conflict over nesting sites has been recorded, the two species generally avoid direct interaction.
In conclusion, white-bellied sea eagles are opportunistic carnivores that consume a wide variety of animal prey, including birds, mammals, and aquatic creatures. Their diverse diet and hunting strategies make them highly adaptable and successful predators in their respective ecosystems.
