Sanford's Fish Eagle
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The Sanford's Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus sanfordi) sometimes listed as Sanford's Sea Eagle, or Solomon Eagle is endemic to the Solomon Islands.
Description
The Sanford's Fish Eagle was discovered by and named after Dr. Leonard Sanford, a trustee for the American Museum of Natural History. The first description was by Professor Ernst Mayr in 1935. It can reach a length between 64 to 90 cm and a weight between 2.3 to 2.5 kg. The wingspan is between 165 and 185 cm. It is the only large predator on the Solomon Islands and the only sea eagle species which prey in the rainforest. The eagles inhabitated coastal forests in an altitude of about 1350 m asl.
The plumage is whitish brown to bright brown on the head and the neck. The underparts are tinged from brown to reddish brown and dark brown. The upperparts are coloured from darkish brown to gray black. The eyes are bright brown.
The breeding season is from August to October. The nest consists of two eggs.
The diet consists of flying foxes, fishes, molluscs, crabs, tortoises, and sea snakes.
Miscellanea
This eagle is often illustrated on postage stamps of the Solomon Islands.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). [Haliaeetus sanfordi]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 06 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
External links
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