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White-bellied Sea Eagle: 1. Nesting

on 30th May 2009

Samson Tan documented a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) nesting high up a communication tower in March 2009. In the image on the left, the two adults can be seen perching on the left of the tower with the narrow platform where the nest is below.

The nest is a simple pile of twigs placed on the narrow platform. The eagles have been around this tower for a number of years and most times can be seen soaring above. Samson’s last visit on a bright sunny morning saw the eagles still around. One, probably the female, was near the nest, scanning the surroundings impatiently. The other, probably the male, was flying above. After about half an hour, the female suddenly moved to the nest. Then the male arrived to deliver a rat clutched tightly in his talons (below left).

Apparently there was a chick in the nest. One of the adults tore the rat into bits and fed the chick with the other standing by (below right).

Once feeding was completed, the adults flew off, circling the tower, ever vigilant. They then returned to the tower, perching on different levels above the nest (top). After about five minutes, one left to forage. This was probably the male, leaving the female to brood the chick.

This is a re-post of the account appearing in Manta’s Experience… on 14th March 2009. Thanks to Samson Tan for permission to share his observations with BESG and for use of his images.

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. I’m on holidays and staying in an apartment opposite the tower.

    The date is 13.2.11 and I can see the there are 3 eagles perched on the antenna’s of the tower… I guess one must be a juvenile ready to leave soon?? There were only two previously over the last few days.

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