White-bellied sea eagles have exceptional eyesight that allows them to spot prey from great heights. Although there is no specific data on the exact distance they can see, it is known that they have a visual acuity of 3.0 to 3.6 times that of humans. This means they can easily spot small prey from a considerable distance.

The Impressive Visual Acuity of White Bellied Sea Eagles

White-bellied sea eagles are known for their exceptional eyesight, which is a crucial aspect of their hunting prowess. Their visual acuity is estimated to be 3.0 to 3.6 times better than that of humans. This means they can see small prey, such as fish, from much greater distances compared to humans.

To put this into perspective, consider the following:

• Humans have a visual acuity of 20/20, which is considered normal vision.
• White-bellied sea eagles have a visual acuity of 20/6 to 20/5, which is significantly better.
• This enhanced vision allows them to spot prey from heights of up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) or more.

The Hunting Techniques of White Bellied Sea Eagles

Image source: bellied sea eagle by shankar s

White-bellied sea eagles are skilled and aggressive hunters. They use their excellent eyesight to locate their prey, which primarily consists of fish, but also includes other aquatic animals, birds, and small mammals. Their hunting techniques are as follows:

1. Soaring and Scanning: These eagles spend a significant amount of time soaring high above the water, constantly scanning the surface for potential prey.
2. Dive Bombing: When they spot a target, they will dive down at high speeds, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h), to catch their prey.
3. Powerful Talons: White-bellied sea eagles have large, powerful talons that they use to grasp and kill their prey. Their curved beaks also help them tear into their catch.
4. Armor-like Scales: The thick scales on their legs provide protection, acting like armor during their hunting activities.

The Habitat and Range of White Bellied Sea Eagles

White-bellied sea eagles are found throughout Australia, primarily along the coasts and beside lowland rivers and lakes. They also occur in parts of Southeast Asia and India. These eagles are generally sedentary and territorial, but they may travel long distances in search of food.

Some key facts about the habitat and range of white-bellied sea eagles:

• Home ranges can be up to 100 square kilometers (38 square miles) in size.
• They have been known to travel upriver to hunt for flying foxes.
• Nesting sites are an important factor for their conservation, as the loss of these sites due to development is a major threat.

Conservation Efforts for White Bellied Sea Eagles

While white-bellied sea eagles are not currently considered endangered, there are several threats to their population that require conservation efforts. These include:

• Loss of nesting sites due to development
• Disturbance of nesting pairs by human activity, which can cause them to abandon their nests
• Deterioration of inland water sources and over-fishing in the ocean, making it harder for them to find food
• Competition for food and nesting sites with other raptor species, such as the wedge-tailed eagle

To help conserve white-bellied sea eagles, it is recommended to:

• Maintain a safe distance from eagles and their nests
• Protect areas of native vegetation
• Report any interference with nests or disturbance of sea eagles

By understanding the impressive visual capabilities and hunting behaviors of white-bellied sea eagles, as well as the conservation efforts needed to protect them, we can better appreciate and safeguard these magnificent birds of prey.

References:
– Debus, S. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), 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.wbseag1.01
– Global Raptor Information Network. 2022. Species account: White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 6 Apr. 2022.
– White-bellied Sea-Eagle – Department for Environment and Water. https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/hf/white-bellied-sea-eagle-bio-region-fact.pdf
– White-bellied Sea-Eagle – The Australian Museum. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/white-bellied-sea-eagle/
– White-Bellied Sea Eagle – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. https://animalia.bio/white-bellied-sea-eagle