• In an unusual sighting, the white-bellied sea eagle, an enormous raptor common to coastal habitats, was spotted in Mukkombu, Tiruchi, Tamil nadu.

ABOUT WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE (ICTHYOPHAGA LEUCOGASTER)

• The white-bellied sea eagle is a large diurnal bird of prey.
• It has a body length of 75-85 cm (29.5-33 in) and a wingspan of 178–218 cm (70-85.8 in).
• The raptor is found in India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, southern China, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, and Tasmania, among other countries.
• They live primarily in terrestrial habitats near the ocean, especially coasts, islands, and estuaries, but they also live in forested areas with access to smaller bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• As its name implies, the bird of prey is rarely seen away from the seashore, and as a result, has a diet of aquatic species like fish, eels, crustaceans and sea snakes.
• It is also known to steal or pirate food from other raptors, and occasionally feed on carrions.
• IUCN red list status- ‘least-concern’