One of the most iconic species of Krabi province in Southern Thailand is the White-bellied Sea Eagle. These are massive birds with a 2 meter+ (79 inches) wingspan that can be seen gliding all over Krabi Town, the rivers and lakes, and high mountains.
Our Birdwatching by Boat Tours in the Mangroves on the Krabi River spot these majestic birds of prey daily. Our boat leaves at 6:30 am. The tour is private. The guide is the best bird spotter in Southern Thailand. You can choose a 2 or 3 hour trip. Nearly everyone chooses 3 hours.
Our Best Birdwatching Trip is by Boat on the Krabi River in the Mangroves. Join Us!
Find out more about Krabi’s White-bellied Sea Eagles below!
The white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is one of the most powerful and iconic birds of prey found along the coastlines and islands of southern Thailand, including the Krabi region. With a wingspan stretching up to 2.2 meters and a striking contrast of pure white underparts and slate-gray wings, this eagle is impossible to miss when it soars overhead or perches high above the Andaman Sea in towering trees or on limestone mountains.
These eagles are primarily coastal hunters, thriving in habitats like mangroves, estuaries, cliffs, and remote islands. They feed mainly on fish but are known to eat sea snakes, birds, and carrion, and even steal prey from other raptors. Non-migratory by nature, white-bellied sea eagles mate for life and return year after year to the same massive nests built in tall trees or cliff ledges.
In the Krabi area, they’re frequently seen around Krabi Town, Khao Phanom Mountain, Ao Thalane, Laem Sak, Koh Jum, and the Phi Phi islands, making them a favorite subject for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. Despite their regal appearance and dominance in the sky, they remain listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, thanks to their wide range across Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
White-bellied Sea Eagle Facts
Scientific Name – Haliaeetus leucogaster
IUCN Conservation Status – Listed as Least Concern (LC) on IUCN.org. This is one bird that doesn’t present any concerns as far as number of birds found in their range.
Where They Live – Global Range
The White-bellied Sea Eagle has a massive range. You’ll find them across coastal and inland waterways throughout:
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)
- Indian subcontinent (eastern India, Sri Lanka)
- Papua New Guinea
- Northern and eastern Australia
- New Guinea and surrounding islands
They’re mainly coastal birds, but also roam inland along big rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Range in Thailand – Near Krabi
In Thailand, they’re mostly found in the south and along coastal zones, especially around:
- The Andaman Sea coast (Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang)
- Islands like Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Koh Jum, and Hong Islands
- Mangrove forests, estuaries, and sea cliffs.
Krabi is a great spot to see them, especially near Ao Thalane, Laem Sak, and islands off the coast.
Habitat Preferences
They thrive in areas near water, both saltwater and freshwater because their primary diet is fish they catch by diving from the sky to catch them in their talons. Habitats include:
- Coastal cliffs
- Mangroves
- River mouths
- Estuaries
- Coral atolls and islets
- Inland lakes and reservoirs
They require tall perches and old trees to nest, often in remote, undisturbed areas like deep forest that surrounds Khao Phanom Mountain range and Noppharat Thara’s Ngon Nak Mountain.
What They Eat – Hunting Style
Sea Eagles are opportunistic predators and scavengers. They eat living and dead animals.
Main diet:
- Fish (primary food)
- Sea snakes
- Turtles
- Water birds
- Small mammals and rodents (squirrels especially)
- Carrion and roadkill
How they hunt:
- Glide over water at low height. When they spot fish they swoop in with their talons and grab/snag them. Often times White-bellied Sea Eagles will steal food that other birds of prey have caught like ospreys (kleptoparasitism).
They use sharp eyesight and powerful, curved talons to snatch prey from water or land.
White-bellied Sea Eagle Physical Description
A bold and majestic, very large eagle. Adults are easy to identify even high in the sky above.
- Upperparts – Slate-gray wings and back
- Underside – Pure white chest, belly, and underwings
- Head and neck – Snow white
- Tail – Short and wedge-shaped, white
- Wingspan – 1.8 to 2.2 meters (around 6 to 7.2 feet)
- Body length – 70 to 85 cm (27.5 to 33.5 inches)
- Beak – Strong, hooked, bluish-gray, about 6–7 cm long
- Talons – Black, sharp, about 4–6 cm long
- Eyes – Pale brown or yellowish in adults
Juveniles are brown and take up to 6 years to get full adult plumage including white areas.
Breeding and Nesting
Breeding season in Southern Thailand – typically November to March (dry season, less rain)
Nests:
- Huge stick nests built high in trees or on cliffs
- Often reused and added to every year – some nests get massive, around 2 meters wide
- Lined with leaves and softer materials
- Nest locations are often reused for many years by the same pair
Young:
- Usually 1–2 eggs per clutch
- Incubation lasts about 35–40 days
- Chicks fledge (leave nest) after 65–70 days
- Only 1 chick often survives due to sibling rivalry (stronger one dominates)
Do Sea Eagles Migrate?
Nope – these birds mostly remain in the Krabi area year-round. Especially breeding pairs. Young birds may disperse for a bit after fledging but not long-distance migrants.
How Do These Eagles Sleep?
They perch in tall trees or cliff edges near water. Like most raptors:
- They sleep standing on one leg
- Head tucked under a wing or turned backward
- Typically silent at night unless disturbed
They’re diurnal – active during the day, and rest at night.
Where to See and Photograph Them in Krabi
Our best recommendation is to book our birdwatching by boat tour in the Krabi River Mangroves in the early morning. You will see 20-30+ different bird species by an excellent Thai bird spotter who has done this for many years, and his father did it before him.
Here are some more of the best places to spot and shoot this majestic eagle:
- Ao Thalane mangroves – There is excellent kayaking and eagle viewing you can sometimes see from kayaks.
- Laem Sak and Phang Nga Bay cliffs – high chance of seeing nests
- Koh Lanta National Park viewpoint – There are some nice areas along the eastern shore, especially around the National Park.
- Koh Jum – eagles often circle high above the hills of this small Krabi Island just south of Krabi Town.
- Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint – Bring a telephoto lens. This requires a hike up very steep trails and is too much for most people if you’re carrying heavy camera equipment. If very fit, give it a try!
- Phi Phi Leh cliffs – dramatic scenery, ideal background
Best times for photography:
- Early morning or late afternoon – golden light, active hunting
- Use at least a 300mm lens (ideally 400–600mm).
- Look for them soaring over water or perched on dead trees.
Quick Facts Summary
- Species – Haliaeetus leucogaster
- IUCN Status – Least Concern
- Wingspan – Up to 2.2 meters
- Habitat – Coastal cliffs, mangroves, lakes
- Diet – Fish, reptiles, birds, carrion
- Breeds – Nov to March in Thailand
- Nests – Huge stick nests in trees or cliffs
- Migratory? – No
- Found in Krabi? – Yes, all over the coast and islands
- Hunting style – Glide and swoop, or steal
- Best viewing – Ao Thalane, Laem Sak, Koh Lanta, Koh Jum
Best Viewing is Our Birdwatching by Boat Tour! It’s our #1 River Boat Trip