Sanford's sea eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sanford's sea eagle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Icthyophaga
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| Species: |
sanfordi
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The Sanford's sea eagle (scientific name: Icthyophaga sanfordi) is a special type of sea eagle. People also call it the Sanford's fish eagle or the Solomon eagle. This amazing bird lives only in the Solomon Islands archipelago. When an animal lives only in one place, it is called endemic.
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About the Sanford's Sea Eagle Name
Who Discovered This Eagle?
The Sanford's sea eagle got its name from Dr. Leonard C. Sanford. He was a trustee at the American Museum of Natural History. The bird was first officially described by Ernst Mayr in 1935.
Why Is It Called a Sea Eagle?
This eagle is called a "sea eagle" to help tell it apart from other types of fish eagles. For a long time, people thought this eagle was just a young white-bellied sea eagle. But in 1935, Ernst Mayr realized it was a completely different species.
Family Connections
The Sanford's sea eagle is very closely related to the white-bellied sea eagle. They are so similar that scientists think their family lines separated less than a million years ago. Both of these eagles have dark bills, strong talons, and dark eyes.
What Does the Sanford's Sea Eagle Look Like?
Size and Wingspan
This large bird can grow to be about 70 to 90 centimeters (27 to 35 inches) long. It weighs between 1.1 and 2.7 kilograms (2.4 to 6 pounds). Its wings can spread wide, from 165 to 185 centimeters (5.4 to 6 feet) across. It is the only big predator (animal that hunts other animals) living on the Solomon Islands.
Colors and Features
The feathers on its head and neck are whitish-brown to bright brown. Its belly and chest are brown to reddish-brown and dark brown. The feathers on its back are dark brown to gray-black. The eagle's eyes are a bright brown color. One special thing about this eagle is that its tail stays completely dark throughout its whole life. No other sea eagle has a dark tail like this.
Where They Live
These eagles like to live near the coast in forests and by lakes. You can find them up to about 1500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Sanford's sea eagle has its breeding season from August to October. When they build a nest, the female usually lays two eggs.
What Do They Eat?
The Sanford's sea eagle mainly eats food found along the tideline. This includes dead animals, fish, molluscs (like clams or snails), and crabs. They also eat tortoises and sea snakes. Sometimes, they will catch birds or even large bats called megabats right from the tops of the rainforest trees. They have also been seen eating the northern common cuscus, which is a type of marsupial.
The Eagle in Culture
The Sanford's sea eagle is an important symbol for the Solomon Islands. You can often see pictures of this eagle on the country's postage stamps.
