The White-tailed is the largest and most impressive of the European eagles, appearing altogether bulkier and more vulture-like than the Golden Eagle. Adults are, of course, quite unmistakeable with their short gleaming white tails but its worth studying their outline to help you to identify a duller-plumaged immature bird. The whole shape of the bird is dominated by the massive wings, making the tail rather inconsequential. The outer primaries seem to bulge out further than the inner ones creating 'club-ended wings'. If the bird is seen in level flight, look at how the big head and massive beak protrude forwards. Plumage features which also help to separate immatures from other eagles are the pale stripes down the tail and the blotchy, ill-defined pale areas on both the upperwing and underwing but especially under the 'armpits'.

Resident in coastal areas and some inland wetlands. Winters at additional sites such as reservoirs and fishponds.

Widespread in Scotland and the Lake District in the 18th Century, the species was wiped out by persecution and became extinct in Britain by 1916. A series of re-introduction programs from 1975 onwards to the Island of Rhum in the Inner Hebrides, resulted in the first successful breeding in 1985. Birds are now more scattered along the west coast of Scotland. In 1992 a re-introduction programme was initiated on the west coast of Ireland. Scandinavian birds are seen less than annually in the east of England.

Probably most numerous around the Norwegian fjords, especially in winter when up to 100 birds have sometimes been counted (eg at Saltstraumen, near Mo I Rana where groups of up to 20 birds can be seen). They can also be numerous at wetlands inlandsuch as on the Hortobagy (Hungary) and Kopacki Rit (Croatia) where numbers reach double figures in winter. Two of the most accessible sites are at the Lac du der Chantecoq (France) and the Oostvaardersplassen (Holland) where birds can be expected in winter. Another particularly good area is the Oder delta where up to 150 birds winter.

©BirdGuides 1999