Attack of the Sea Eagle

White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

 It was a memorable moment for me to watch the White-bellied Sea Eagle performing its spectacular attack by the mudflats area at the Pantai Temasya Drive.  I saw it first circling high above the area, making many rounds of flying before zooming on its target.  The action happened extremely quick.  Once the eagle decided to dive,  it collapses its body like one big stone dropping from the sky and then steered its flight direction to the fish below.  In a matter of split seconds it grabbed the fish and then flew up high and higher with its prey caught in the claws.  The eagle made a few more circular rounds of flying before deciding to devour its victim in the cover of casuarina trees nearby.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle closing in on the mudflats area

On attack mode - seconds before catching the fish

Flying up with prey in claws

It's a fish!

Flying for cover in the casuarina trees to devour the catch of the day.

Note: All images taken on 3 October, 2014.  Birding time : 3.30 - 5.00 pm, Location : Pantai Temasya Drive, Tanjung Batu, Bintulu.