This majestic raptor inhabits mostly coastal areas although it ranges inland where there are large lakes. It is still reasonably common but appears to be declining in the southern part of its range in Australia. Declines have also been noted in Thailand. Primary cause of decline is thought to be human disturbance. Usually wary, this adult allowed close approach. This photo was taken from a boat. Some authors (e.g. IOC, HANZAB, Howard & Moore) leave out the hyphen in Sea-Eagle. HBW includes the hyphen but does not capitalize "eagle." Sibley & Monroe call it White-bellied Fish-Eagle. I was somewhat surprised that my Australian field guides all included the hyphen. I thought that Australia had settled on IOC for English names, but apparently not always. One reason for the diversity in spelling is the issue of whether a "Sea-Eagle" is really an Eagle. Although superficially similar, Sea-Eagles in the genus Haliaeetus do not form a monophyletic group with the true eagles in the genus Aquila. Leaving out the hyphen implies a relationship which is incorrect. For those who dislike hyphens, leaving "eagle" in lower case is another way of indicating that this bird is not really a true "Eagle."
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