White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla

(H. a. albicilla)

Armenian Name:	Սպիտակապոչ արծիվ
Species Status:	Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 7 for White-tailed Eagle and other similar species See Plate 14 for White-tailed Eagle and other similar species in flight

Flight Characteristics:	Long uniformly broad wings and short bluntly-pointed tail. Adult is dark overall with paler head and white tail. Juvenile and immatures have pale feathers on underwing coverts and dark edges to pale tail feathers. With increasing age, tail becomes whiter and underwing darker. Soars with wings level or slightly raised and arched, with primaries separated and bent upward. Glides with carpal joint forward, and lowered outerwing.
Resident Status:	Year-round visitor
Abundance:	Rare
Length:	70-90 cm, Wing Span:200-240 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 30.
Description:	Huge broad-winged raptor. Brown body, blackish-brown flight feathers, massive bill, and short bluntly-pointed tail. In flight, head and tail appear to protrude to equal lengths beyond the body.
Adult:	White tail. Head, neck, breast, and upper back light brown. Bill and cere yellow.
Juvenile:	Plumage darker overall, including tail.
Similar Species:	Adult differs from other eagles by white tail; juveniles and immatures by pale axillaries.
Habitat:	Open water, usually near trees; river valleys, flood plains.
Food:	Primarily fish, other vertebrates, carrion.