ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the physical form, evolution and hunting and breeding ecology of Sea eagles of the Subfamily Haliaeetinae. This group contains one genus, Haliaeetus: The African fish eagle, Bald eagle, Gray-headed fish eagle, Lesser fish eagle, Madagascar fish eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, Sanford's sea eagle, Steller's sea eagle, White-bellied sea eagle and the White-tailed eagle. The Genus Icthyophaga (Lesson, 1843), with two species, may be included in this subfamily. These eagles may range across all the continents except Subfamily Haliaeetinae is found on all continents except South America and Antarctica, usually in coastal or riverine areas. They are large to very large eagles, with long broad wings, and short to medium, rounded or wedge-like tails. The largest species, the Steller’s Sea eagle, may be the world’s heaviest eagle. Tow other very large species, the Bald and White-tailed eagles, are larger than the largest Aquila eagles. Their bills are strong, large, and high, and their legs relatively short, and feathered only the upper thighs, rater than feathering to the toes. Their diets are also generally focussed on fish, and to a lesser extent mammals and birds.
