The White-tailed Eagle is never more impressive than when it is in
flight, when its huge frame and enormous wingspan can be viewed to
its best advantage. In flapping flight, a White-tailed Eagle may
appear somewhat ponderous, yet it is remarkably agile for such a
large bird. This is seen to its greatest effect during
breathtaking aerial courtship displays, when potential mates will
indulge in death defying cart-wheeling at incredible speeds.
White-tailed Eagles normally fly at speeds of between 20 – 60
miles per hour, although dives have been recorded of up to 100
miles per hour.
An apex predator (at the top of the food chain), White-tailed
Eagles' form a species pair with the Bald Eagle in North America
and share certain characteristics with vultures.
The flight profile of a White-tailed Eagle is very flat and
vulturine in appearance, whereas the Golden Eagle soars almost
Buzzard-like on uptilted wings held in a shallow 'V'. The
territories of both eagles overlap on Mull; remember this when
trying to identify any distant 'eagle' that you encounter.
The White-tailed Eagle is never more impressive than when it is in
flight, when its huge frame and enormous wingspan can be viewed to
its best advantage. In flapping flight, a White-tailed Eagle may
appear somewhat ponderous, yet it is remarkably agile for such a
large bird. This is seen to its greatest effect during
breathtaking aerial courtship displays, when potential mates will
indulge in death defying cart-wheeling at incredible speeds.