| IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): | Near Threatened
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| Approximate size(adult): | A large raptor measuring 61–75 cm in length with a wingspan of about 155–170 cm. It has a distinctive grey head and breast, dark brown upperparts, and a white belly and tail with a broad black terminal band.
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| Resident/ Migrate from: | Primarily resident, though some populations show local movements depending on water levels and food availability. Distributed from India and Sri Lanka eastward through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia.
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| Migrate to: | Generally non-migratory; some individuals disperse locally during the dry season or when water bodies recede.
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| Breeding season: | Breeds mainly from December to May in South Asia, varying regionally. The species builds a large stick nest high in tall trees, often near rivers or reservoirs.
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| Breed in: | Found breeding near large lakes, slow-moving rivers, reservoirs, and mangrove wetlands, where tall nesting trees are available.
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| Habitat: | Occupies lowland forests near freshwater bodies, riverine habitats, lakeshores, and coastal wetlands. Prefers undisturbed areas with tall emergent trees for nesting and perching.
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| Diet: | Primarily piscivorous, feeding mostly on fish, but also takes amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally waterbirds or carrion. It hunts by soaring and swooping down to snatch prey from water surfaces.
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