White-bellied Sea-eagle just before fledging

on 15th May 2013

Jeremiah Loei’s video clip of the White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) was recorded at Singapore’s Fort Canning Park (above). The two chicks can be seen moving around the nest, either feeding or rearranging the twigs in the nest. They are also seen exercising their wings, a sign that they are about to fledge (below).

The nest is just a platform of sticks lined with leaves and grass, etc. and placed among the branches of trees. It is sometimes found on cliffs or even on the ground, especially in offshore islands where there is less chances of being disturbed.

Usually two eggs (sometimes even three) are laid. They are incubated for about 40 days before hatching. The chicks take about 65-70 days to fledge, as seen here. The juvenile plumage as shown above is different from that of the adult LINK.

The image above shows an adult arriving with a fish for the chicks.

Jeremiah Loei
Singapore
May 2013

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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