Hi all,
About 4.30 this afternoon, I went to feed horses near our house on Wanna wanna Rd which is about 10km N and a bit E of Googong Dam.
I disturbed a large whitish bird which was about 150m away from me. It appeared to have just lifted off from a roo carcase though it was 20m away and about 5 m above the ground when I saw it.
First thought, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo but this bird was solo and not white enough and bigger. OK a roo carcase so it must be a WT Eagle and the whitish colour must be to do with the afternoon light. The size was about right but I wasn't convinced. The bird had flown out of sight between trees but came into sight again as it gained elevation at a distance from me of 500m plus.
No doubt, a White Breasted Sea-Eagle. V shape wings and short tail. Close to Googong Dam so that is reasonable, though Ive only ever seen 1 other here and that was in aerial combat with a WTE.
There is no reference in my field guides to WBSE's eating carrion. I didn't see it on the carcase but the evidence is overwhelming that it was.