Bangladesh, Bhutan (B), Brunei Darussalam (B), Cambodia, China (mainland) (NB), India (B), Indonesia (B), Laos (B), Malaysia (B), Myanmar (B), Nepal (B), Thailand (B), Vietnam (B).
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 10000 - 50000 (2020) and decreasing.
Status NT
Loss of forest habitat along rivers, siltation, over-fishing and increasing human disturbance of waterways are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Food
Fish.
Voice
A loud 'nyooo-wer', the second note being higher. Also a slurred, whistled 'foo-foo-foo-foooo'.
Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) [XC157009]
by Greg Irving from Dikhala, Corbett NP, Uttaranchal, India (call)
Lesser Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus humilis) [XC408518]
by Prashant Kumar from Ulu Muda, Kedah (nr Earth Lodge), Malaysia (song)
Subspecies
In past, frequently listed as Ichthyophaga nana, but name humilis has priority.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
plumbea (Jerdon, 1871) - Kashmir east through Himalayas of India and Nepal to Burma, northern Indochina and Hainan.
humilis (Müller & Schlegel, 1841) - Malay Peninsula (from Tenasserim) and Sumatra through Borneo to Sulawesi and Banggai Is; recently recorded on Buru (southern Moluccas).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet