03/06/2022
A regular here at the Retreat. We currently have an adult with last season's fledgling visiting our Lake. ❤🦅❤
Spectacular Aussie bird of prey: White-bellied Sea-eagle
• Wangaratta Chronicle
• 3 Jun 2022
• By IAN DAVIDSON and CHRIS TZAROS
PHOTO: Chris Tzaros (Birds Bush and Beyond)
MARAUDING MULWALA: White-bellied Sea-eagle descending on prey.
THE White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the most spectacular Australian birds of prey.
Although it is similar in shape and size to the well-known Wedge-tailed Eagle, the seaeagle is readily distinguished by its contrasting plumage, which adds to its striking appearance as it soars effortlessly on broad upswept wings.
The Bpangerang name for the sea-eagle is Mulwala.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle has white on the head, rump and underparts and dark grey on the back and wings.
In flight the black flight feathers on the wings can be easily seen when the bird is viewed from below.
The large, hooked bill is grey with a darker tip, and the eye is dark brown, while the legs and feet are cream-white, with long black talons.
The sexes are similar with males being slightly smaller than females.
Their wingspan can be up to 2 m. Young sea-eagles are motley brown as juveniles then slowly become to resemble adults, acquiring the complete adult plumage by their fourth year.
White-bellied Sea-eagles are a common sight in coastal areas of Australia.
However, despite its name, the sea-eagle is regularly recorded at inland wetlands far from the sea, especially along larger inland rivers and at freshwater swamps and lakes.
This species is also found in New Guinea, Indonesia, China, south-east Asia and India.
White-bellied Sea-eagles are normally seen perched high in a tree or soaring over waterways and adjacent land.
Birds form permanent pairs that inhabit territories throughout the year.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle feeds mainly off aquatic animals, such as fish, turtles, waterbirds and mammals as well.
It is a skilled hunter and will attack prey up to the size of a swan.
Sea-eagles also feed on carrion such as fish along the waterline.
They often harass smaller birds, forcing them to drop any food that they are carrying.
Sea-eagles may feed alone, in pairs or in family groups.
White-bellied Sea-eagles build a large stick nest in a tree up to 30m above the ground which may be used for many seasons in succession.
The same nest has been observed being used by either sea-eagles or Wedge-tailed Eagles in different seasons.
At the start of the breeding season, the nest is lined with fresh green leaves and twigs.
The female carries out most of the incubation of the white eggs, but the male performs this duty from time to time.
Locally, White-bellied Seaeagles are found mostly on our larger wetlands like Winton, when inundated, and the Lower Ovens billabongs, and on our larger dams like Lake Mulwala and Buffalo Lake.
Young birds can be encountered almost anywhere along our major rivers.
Watching sea-eagles dive and capture fish or waterfowl on the water is one of our region’s wildlife delights.
