The grey-headed fish eagle is a fish-eating bird of prey from Southeast Asia. It is a large stocky raptor with adults having dark brown upper body, grey head and lighter underbelly and white legs. Juveniles are paler with darker streaking. It is often confused with the lesser fish eagle and the Pallas's fish eagle. The lesser fish eagle is similar in plumage but smaller and the Pallas's fish eagle shares the same habitat and feeding behaviour but is larger with longer wings and darker underparts. Is often called tank eagle in Sri Lanka due to its fondness for irrigation tanks.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
This species occupies lowland wetlands, including large rivers, lakes, reservoirs, oxbow ponds, and mangroves. It favors areas with tall trees near open water for perching and nesting. The eagle often selects quieter stretches of water with ample fish and minimal disturbance. It tolerates modified landscapes, such as irrigation tanks and aquaculture ponds, where prey is abundant. Nesting sites are typically in large emergent trees close to water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A specialist fish-eating raptor, it haunts rivers, reservoirs, and mangroves across South and Southeast Asia. Adults show a grey head, dark brown upperparts, and whitish underparts with a striking white tail tipped by a bold black band. It is often confused with the lesser fish eagle and Pallas’s fish eagle, differing mainly in size and tail pattern. In Sri Lanka it is nicknamed the 'tank eagle' for its affinity with irrigation tanks.
in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Grey-headed fish eagle with a freshly caught tilapia fish
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with deep, steady wingbeats
Social Behavior
Generally seen singly or in pairs defending stretches of water. Pairs are monogamous and nest in large stick platforms built high in tall trees near water. Clutches are small (often 1–2 eggs), and both adults attend the nest and young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Loud, far-carrying yelps and yodeling screams, often given from exposed perches at dawn and dusk. Calls can be ringing and nasal, used in territory advertisement and pair communication.
Plumage
Stocky fish eagle with a grey head and neck, dark brown upperparts, and paler whitish underparts. The tail is largely white with a broad black terminal band. Juveniles are paler and more streaked below.
Diet
Primarily piscivorous, taking live fish seized near the surface with powerful talons. It also consumes amphibians, crustaceans, reptiles, and occasionally carrion or waterbirds. Hunting is typically from a high perch followed by a swift glide and snatch from the water. It may pirate prey from other birds and will exploit fish kills or low water levels.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along calm stretches of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and mangrove channels with good visibility. Prefers areas with ample perches overlooking open water and low human disturbance.
