Curio

State Library of New South Wales
White-breasted sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), 1790s

White-breasted sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), 1790s

TAL & Dai-ichi Life Derby Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased from The Rt Hon. The 19th Earl of Derby, 2011; PXD 1098, vol. 4, f. 34

Watercolour

White-breasted sea eagles make a loud ‘goose-like’ honking call, heard often during the breeding season.
White-breasted sea eagles are found in coastal habitats of Australia and are normally seen perched high in trees or soaring over waterways.
White-breasted sea eagles feed mainly on fish, turtles and sea snakes. They are also skilled hunters of birds, mammals and reptiles.
White-breasted sea eagles build large stick nests that can be used for many breeding seasons.
White-breasted sea eagles generally form pairs that mate for life.
White-breasted sea eagles are the second largest bird of prey in Australia, measuring up to 90 centimetres long.