Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Common name for a bird of prey with the binomial name Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, which derives from the Greek word ichtys (ἰχθύς) and refers to its diet, i.e. ‘fish’. It occurs in southern Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia, as far to the East as the Philippines, though it is a relatively rare resident in Southeast Asia. It is about 70 to 75 cm in length and adults have a dark brown back and wings, a plain greyish head and mostly warm brown to brownish grey breast. The lower belly and thighs are a sharply contrasting white (fig.), and the rounded tail is white with a black terminal band. Its legs and feet are yellowish grey, and its eyes are dark yellowish to almost orange. Sexes are similar, but young birds have a pale buff head, underparts and underwing, all with darker streaking. Its habitat consists of lowland forested waterways, lakes, rivers and swamps, where it can be best observed hovering in the air when hunting. 回