Good morning!
Not sure where this should be placed. Hopefully, here.
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/specie ... urtherInfo (though not quite up to date, this seems to be a reliable source)
http://www.naturelight.ru/show_photo/14515.html 'My White-Tailed Friend' Date: Sep 6, 2008. Location: Russia, Astrakhan region (the Lower Volga)
There are two comments:
(1) 'Now there is a new problem in conservation of the white-tailed eagle. Because of frequent fish kills in rivers and reservoirs WTEs are gradually becoming scavengers rather than active hunters. In other words, the species hunting behavior stereotype is being changed. Such birds (scavengers) are less active, less smart. No one knows how this situation can be changed' [the area to which this applies is not indicated nor the source of information is provided]
(2) By the photographer: "Last winter in Astrakhan region was harsh and I saw on several occasions WTEs stealing chickens from poultry yards in the middle of the day... In the summer I managed to take several pics of a WTE attacking an egret in a water meadow. I also observed several times how this particular friend of mine makes use of cormorants.
A family of these WTEs resides a couple of kilometers away from a colony of cormorants. Perching on a tree, WTEs observe what cormorants are doing without interfering. When a cormorant catches a big fish one of the eagles flies to the cormorant with a menacing air. The cormorant cannot dive with the swallowed prey and has to regurgitate the fish. The eagle takes the 'tribute' calmly... Without a 'thank you'..."
http://www.naturelight.ru/show_photo/14553.html 'Sideview'
http://www.naturelight.ru/show_photo/14554.html 'A Warm Company'
Date: Feb 16, 2008. Location: Russia, Far East, Vladivostok, Golden Horn Bay.
Comments to both pics: In the winter, there are many WTEs in the city. They stay mainly on the ice, sometimes on trees, too. At times, up to ten birds can be seen in one place.