White-tailed Eagle (also known as Sea Eagle or Erne)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae, Genus: Haliaeetus, Species: Haliaeetus albicilla
Family: Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Allies)
- Shape
- Highly asymmetrical with a narrow, stiff leading edge and a broad trailing edge. Shows distinct emargination (notching) near the tip, typical of soaring raptors to reduce drag.
- Size
- 36cm in length with a 6-7mm diameter calamus. This is perfectly consistent with the outer primaries of an adult or sub-adult White-tailed Eagle, which range from 30-45cm.
- Rarity
- Uncommon but increasing. While once nearly extinct in Denmark, successful conservation has made them a regular sight in coastal fjord regions.
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Description
This is a massive feather from Europe's largest bird of prey. The White-tailed Eagle is a 'flying barn door' with a wingspan reaching 2.4 meters. Adults have a pale head and white tail, while immatures remain dark brown for several years.
Colour & Pattern
Uniformly dark sepia to chocolate brown with a slight grayish bloom. The ventral (underside) appears slightly more matte. The calamus (quill) transitions from a translucent cream at the base to a darker shade where the vane begins.
Barb Structure
Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs with strong hooklets for aerodynamic integrity. The structure is extremely stiff and weather-resistant, designed for high-stress soaring and maritime environments.
Texture & Surface
Coarse, stiff, and slightly oily to the touch—an adaptation for life near water. The surface has a dull semi-gloss finish and is built to withstand high wind pressure.
Key Features
Extraordinary size (36cm), extreme rachis thickness (7mm), dark brown coloration without banding, and the heavy, dense weight of the feather.
Habitat
Coastal cliffs, fjords, large freshwater lakes, and wetlands. In Denmark, they are frequently found along the coastlines of Jutland and the various island fjords.
Geographic Range
Palearctic distribution. Found from Greenland and Iceland across Europe and Northern Asia to Japan. In Denmark, they are a successful resident and breeding species.
Ecological Role
Apex predator and scavenger. They play a vital role in maintaining the health of fish populations and waterbird colonies, acting as an indicator species for environmental toxins.
Similar Species
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) feathers are similar but usually show more mottling/banding at the base. Mute Swan flight feathers are similarly sized but white; Grey Heron feathers are much lighter and narrower.
Interesting Facts
The White-tailed Eagle is the national bird of Poland and is the inspiration behind many European heraldic eagles. They are known to live up to 25 years in the wild.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible wear and fraying on the trailing edge suggests this was a naturally molted feather (likely from a summer molt). Slight salt-encrustation or bleaching visible from fjord environment.
Notes
dark brown. 36cm. 6-7mm shaft. found in shoreline of a fjord in denmark. very dense. heavy almost. flight feather. very thick shaft