White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) are known to travel significant distances from their nests, especially when they are young and not yet breeding. In this blog post, we will explore the specific details and unique specifications of how far these majestic birds can travel from their nests.

The Traveling Range of Young White-Tailed Eagles

When white-tailed eagles are young and not yet breeding, they have been recorded to range up to 200 km away from their natal site in their first two years. This is particularly true in Scotland, where juvenile white-tailed eagles have been observed to travel this distance before eventually returning to breed closer to their natal site.

Nesting Locations of White-Tailed Eagles

Image source: white tailed eagle by Andreas Weith

While white-tailed eagles are known to travel far from their nests when they are young, their nesting locations are typically much closer to their food sources. In Germany, for example, nests of white-tailed eagles have been found up to 11 km away from any lake, although most nests are located within 3 km of a lake or the Baltic Sea. In Norway, mating has been recorded to occur as far away as 3 km from the nest.

Breeding and Territorial Behavior

Once white-tailed eagles begin breeding, their home range becomes much smaller, and they are likely to remain sedentary throughout the year. However, they still require a large territory to ensure access to sufficient food resources. The breeding population of white-tailed eagles in Europe consists of 9,000-12,300 breeding pairs, equating to 17,900-24,500 mature individuals.

Reintroduction Efforts and Dispersal Patterns

In recent years, white-tailed eagles have been reintroduced in several countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the aim of establishing breeding populations. In the Isle of Wight, for example, the release of young white-tailed eagles began in 2019, with the aim of establishing an initial population of 6-8 pairs on the Island and in the wider Solent area. These birds are expected to disperse and explore widely in their first two years, but eventually settle to breed within 50 km of the release site.

Dietary Habits and Hunting Behavior

White-tailed eagles are carnivorous and scavengers, with a diet that mainly consists of fish and water birds, but also small mammals and carrion. They are opportunistic feeders and have been known to attack entire colonies of smaller birds, causing the adults to scatter and abandon the young and the eggs.

In conclusion, white-tailed eagles are known to travel significant distances from their nests, especially when they are young and not yet breeding. However, once they begin breeding, their home range becomes much smaller, and they are likely to remain sedentary throughout the year. These birds require a large territory to ensure access to sufficient food resources, and are known to have a diet that mainly consists of fish and water birds, but also small mammals and carrion.

References:
– Wikipedia – White-tailed Eagle
– Wild Ken Hill – White-Tailed Eagle FAQs
– Roy Dennis – White-Tailed Eagle Project FAQs
– Oceanwide Expeditions – White-Tailed Eagle
– Animalia.bio – White-Tailed Eagle