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The White-bellied fish-eagle is the largest bird of prey that breeds
in Singapore. A few of these majestic birds hunt on Chek Jawa.
Adults have striking white-on-grey plumage, while juveniles are mottled.
They have loud calls that have been described as serial clanging,
barking, yelping, or geese honking.
Fish-eagle Food: Fish-eagles eat
mostly fish and sea snakes that swim near the surface. The prey is
snatched in their claws as they make a long, shallow glide to skim
over the surface of the sea. They don't dive into the water. The prey
is then brought to a perch to be eaten. There have been reports of
fish-eagles catching crabs and dropping them from a great height to
break their shells. These raptors may also hunt other birds, as well
as scavenge.
Fish-eagle Babies: Fish-eagles
appear to mate for life. During breeding season, the mated pair perform
courtship displays, tumbling through the air together. They nest on
tall trees near water and making a huge platform of sticks that is
re-used for years and can eventually reach 2m wide and 2m tall. Two
eggs are usually laid, with the female doing most of the incubation.
Fish-eagles are sedentary and don't migrate long distances regularly.
Status and threats: Fish-eagles
are considered common residents in Singapore. They are listed as CITES
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See
also ...
Birds on Chek Jawa
Links
The
Hunter - The Home-Maker on the Australian Olympic Co-ordination Authority
website: fact sheet.
White-bellied
Sea Eagle on the Hawk Conservancy and Country Park website: fact sheet.
White-bellied
Sea Eagle on the Forest Department Sarawak website: fact sheet.
Other references
- Strange, Morten,
2000. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Malaysia and Singapore.
Periplus, Hong Kong. 398 pp.
- Strange, Morten,
2000. Tropical Birds of Malaysia and Singapore. Periplus Editions,
Hong Kong. 64 pp.
- Strange, Morten
& Allan Jeyarajasingam, 1999. A Photographic Guide to the Birds of
Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Sun Tree Publishing Limited,
Singapore. 258 pp.
- Strange, Morten,
1998. Birds of South-East Asia: A Photographic Guide to the Birds
of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia.
New Holland Publishers. 112 pp.
- Lim, Kim Seng
and Dana Gardner, 1997. An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of
Singapore. Sun Tree Publishing Limited, Singapore. 226 pp.
- Davidson, G. W.
H. & Chew Yen Fook, 1995. A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular
Malaysia and Singapore. New Holland Publishers, UK. 144 pp.
- Hails, Christopher
& Frank Jarvis. 1995 (ed). Birds of Singapore. Times Edition,
Singapore. 168 pp.
- Briffett, Clive,
1986. A Guide to the Common Birds of Singapore. Singapore Science
Centre, Singapore. 160 pp.
- Madoc, G. C.,
1947 (1992 4th ed). An Introduction to Malayan Birds. The Malayan
Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 227 pp.
- Bucknill, John
A. S. & Chasen, F. N., 1927 (1990 ed.). Birds of Singapore and South-east
Asia. Tynron Press, Scotland. 247 pp.
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