White-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, are primarily carnivorous birds of prey. Their diet consists mainly of fish, water birds, small mammals, and carrion. There is no evidence to suggest that white-tailed eagles eat plants as a significant part of their diet.
What Do White-Tailed Eagles Eat?
White-tailed eagles are known to feed on a variety of prey, with fish and water birds making up the majority of their diet. They typically catch fish in shallow dives, often wading into shallow water to fish from shores or gravel islands. They also scavenge for dead fish or fish-offal from fishing boats and commercial fisheries.
In addition to fish, white-tailed eagles also consume non-fish prey, such as:
- Wildfowl
- Shorebirds
- Small mammals
- Carrion
Carrion can make up to 30% of their diet in some regions, particularly during the leaner winter months when fish and other prey may be scarce.
Hunting Strategies of White-Tailed Eagles
Image source: white tailed eagle by Andreas Weith
White-tailed eagles employ various hunting strategies to capture their prey. They often fly low over sea coasts or lakeshores, attempting to surprise their prey. However, their hunting success rates on healthy birds can be relatively low.
These eagles also regularly steal food from other animals, such as otters and other birds, including cormorants, gulls, ospreys, corvids, and various other raptors.
Nesting and Plant Materials
While white-tailed eagles do not consume plants as part of their diet, their nests are often lined with various plant materials, such as:
- Moss
- Seaweed
- Wool
- Other plant materials
These plant materials are used to construct and insulate their nests, providing a comfortable and secure environment for their eggs and chicks.
Conclusion
In summary, white-tailed eagles are primarily carnivorous birds of prey, with their diet consisting mainly of fish, water birds, small mammals, and carrion. There is no evidence to suggest that they eat plants as a significant part of their diet. However, they do incorporate various plant materials into the construction of their nests.
References:
- Global Raptor Information Network. 2021. Species account: White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 31 Dec. 2021
- Orta, J., G. M. Kirwan, D. A. Christie, P. F. D. Boesman, and J. S. Marks (2020). White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.whteag.01
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_eagle
- https://a-z-animals.com/animals/white-tailed-eagle/
- https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/white-tailed-eagle/
