One of the largest European raptors.
This species feeds mainly on fish, and its habitat needs large aquatic areas. It is found in rocky sea coasts, large lakes, rivers with wooded shores, and forest with water.
When hunting, it flies low above the water and when the prey is detected, it catches it with the talons held forwards. It also hunts from a perch or any elevated pole, and dives onto the prey. It may take birds such as ducks and swans, small and medium-sized mammals, and sometimes carrion.
Courtship displays start in late winter. The nest is situated at treetop or in cliff top, or even on islet.
The young leave the parental territory at six months old and reach the brown adult plumage at about 5 years.
The White-tailed Sea Eagle is found in Northern and Eastern Europe, South-western Greenland, Japan and Northern China. The nomadic dispersions of immature birds draw them to Western Europe in winter, in Northern and Eastern France.