The genus name Haliaeetus is New Latin for 'sea-eagle', from Ancient Greek hali-, 'sea-' and aetos, 'eagle'.

Photo by The genus name Haliaeetus is New Latin for 'sea-eagle', from Ancient Greek hali-, 'sea-' and aetos, 'eagle'.

At up to 6.9 kg, the white-tailed eagle is the largest eagle in Europe.

Photo by At up to 6.9 kg, the white-tailed eagle is the largest eagle in Europe.

White-tailed eagles are sexually mature at four to five years of age. They pair for life, though if one dies replacement can occur quickly. A bond is formed when a permanent home range is chosen.

Photo by White-tailed eagles are sexually mature at four to five years of age. They pair for life, though if one dies replacement can occur quickly. A bond is formed when a permanent home range is chosen.

Some individuals have been found to live over 25 years, 21 years being the average.

Photo by Some individuals have been found to live over 25 years, 21 years being the average.

The largest population in Europe is found along the coast of Norway. The population in 2008 stood at 9,000–11,000 pairs. This white-tailed eagle flies over a Norwegian Fjord with a coal fish in its talons.

Photo by The largest population in Europe is found along the coast of Norway. The population in 2008 stood at 9,000–11,000 pairs. This white-tailed eagle with a coal fish flies over a Norwegian Fjord. Image ID:363146273 Copyright: Neil Burton

Virtually any fish found near the surface is potential prey for the white-tailed eagle. Commercial fisheries and carp ponds are readily exploited by the eagles when available. Although, given the opportunity, they occasionally kill and harass some land birds, white-tailed eagles usually target water-based birds as prey.

Photo by Virtually any fish found near the surface is potential prey for the white-tailed eagle.[3] Commercial fisheries and carp ponds are readily exploited by the eagles when available.[3] Although, given the opportunity, they occasionally kill and harass some land birds, white-tailed eagles usually target water-based birds as prey.

The territory of the white-tailed eagle ranges between 30 and 70 km2 (12 and 27 sq mi), normally in sheltered coastal locations. Sometimes they are found inland by lakes and along rivers.

Photo by The territory of the white-tailed eagle ranges between 30 and 70 km2 (12 and 27 sq mi), normally in sheltered coastal locations. Sometimes they are found inland by lakes and along rivers.

In the Shetland Isles (Scotland), fishermen believed that as soon as a sea eagle appeared fish would rise to the surface, belly up; this led to some fishermen using eagle fat, smeared on their bait, to increase their catch.

Photo by In the Shetland Isles (Scotland), fishermen believed that as soon as a sea eagle appeared fish would rise to the surface, belly up; this led to some fishermen using eagle fat, smeared on their bait, to increase their catch.

Some threats still remain, notably illegal persecution by gamebird shooting and egg thieves in Scotland. A new threat from wind turbines is emerging with significant mortality (considerably in excess of the area's population productivity) occurring at the Smøla Windfarm in Norway.

Photo by Some threats still remain, notably illegal persecution by gamebird shooting and egg thieves in Scotland.[25] A new threat from wind turbines is emerging with significant mortality (considerably in excess of the area's population productivity) occurring at the Smøla Windfarm in Norway.

On Orkney, (Scotland), sea eagle bones have been found in 6000-year-old burial mounds, suggesting that the birds were revered by the prehistoric people there, a belief strengthened by the Pictish stone carvings of sea eagles from Orkney.

Photo by On Orkney, (Scotland), sea eagle bones have been found in 6000-year-old burial mounds, suggesting that the birds were revered by the prehistoric people there, a belief strengthened by the Pictish stone carvings of sea eagles from Orkney.

Inside the lofty realm of the regal sea-eagles

By Jamie Maddison

From the wintery depths of bleakest Siberia, to the secluded seaside coves of north-west Scotland, an iconic bird of prey has been making an incredible comeback.

For the two centuries preceding the 1970s, white-tailed eagles had been undergoing dramatic decline and local extinctions across many regions of western, central and southern Europe.

But come the 1980s, the plight of these incredible sea eagles began, ever so slowly, to recover—the birds today having recolonised several traditional breeding areas in Europe. But it’s not all clear flying for the sea eagles just yet, and many threats still remain for this regal lord of the skies, notably illegal persecution by gamebird shooting and egg thieves, as well as a deadly new threat from ever-growing wind turbine farms.

The documentary Sea Eagle: Bird with the Golden Eye examines this still dangerous future for the birds through the lives of two young eagles, who both come up against the harsh reality of being an apex predator living in the most industrialised continent on Earth.

Sea Eagle: Bird with the Golden Eye

Amidst the bleak and unwelcoming wintry landscapes of Central Europe remains one of Europe’s last surviving birds of prey… the White-Tailed Sea Eagle. Despite their legendary strength, the future of the Sea Eagle remains uncertain as they come face-to-face with the harsh realties of nature and the threat of human activity. We follow the stories of two young eagles as they struggle through a world of many dangers, on a journey that only the fittest will survive.

Tags: app, conservation, europe, featured doc, norway, scotland, sea eagles