Features and
Habits
 

In terms of dimensions, it has a length of 55 to 58 cm and a wingspan of 145 to 170 cm. Regarding its characteristics, the most noticeable aspect is the contrast between its dark brown and white coloration, being mainly brown on the upper part and white on the underside. It can be confused with gulls when observed from below precisely because it is white underneath, and also with the booted eagle for the same reason. In addition, its head is white with a black "mask" and it has long wings. It also has a very pointed, hook-shaped beak and talons.

It is a bird that dives to fish and is often seen with fish in its talons while flying. It competes with the cormorant for food. They nest by building large nests made of branches in trees near water. They lay between 2 and 4 eggs, which hatch after approximately 6 weeks.

Habitat and Distribution
 

It is a wintering bird, present in Portugal mainly during the winter, on the northern coast of the country (especially in the Ria de Aveiro), Cabo do Mondego, the Tagus and Sado rivers, Alentejo (Guadiana river) and Algarve (Ria Formosa), and a migratory bird passing through the entire coastal area and inland near the border. It is a very uncommon bird and rarely nests. It is usually found in estuaries, and also in rivers, marshes, lagoons and reservoirs. The place in the country where they are most frequently sighted is in the Tagus estuary, the International Tagus and the rest of the river. There are also many sightings in the Ria de Aveiro. Regarding nesting, although rare, there are some records in the Tagus River.

Places where I have photographed this species so far.