Why in News?
The White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster): A study published revealed that eagles nesting on telecommunication towers and power pylons in Odisha is less successful than those on trees. These artificial structures act as "ecological traps"—while they provide good hunting perches, the proximity to human activity and lack of natural buffers lead to fewer chicks surviving.
About
- Survey Findings (Kerala): The latest 2026 census recorded 17 active nesting sites in North Kerala (Kannur and Kasaragod), a modest rise from 13 in 2024. However, this remains below the historical high of 25 nests recorded in 1996.
- Rare Sighting: Birdwatchers recently reported a rare sighting of the eagle in Mukkombu, Tiruchi, far from its usual coastal habitat, marking the first sighting in that inland region in over 30 years.
Key Information
- Apex Indicator: As an apex predator, it is considered a vital indicator of marine and coastal environmental health.
- Physical Features:
- Size: Enormous raptor with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres (7.2 feet).
- Appearance: Adults have a striking white head and belly with dark grey wings and a wedge-shaped tail.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Females are noticeably larger and heavier than males.
- Diet & Hunting:
- Mainly feeds on fish, sea snakes, and turtles.
- Known for kleptoparasitism (stealing food from other birds like ospreys) and hunting fruit bats.
- Nesting & Behaviour:
- Fidelity: They are monogamous and often reuse the same nest for decades, renovating it with fresh sticks and seaweed each year.
- Breeding Season: In India, they typically breed between October and March.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern globally, but many local populations (like those in Kerala and Australia) are in decline due to habitat loss.
- Indian Law: Protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Threats: Habitat destruction (cutting tall trees like Casuarina and Ficus), human disturbance during nesting, and "ecological traps" from power lines and towers.
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