Photo taken by Dave Estment
Post by Mark Homann, Professional Guide
The African Fish Eagle is an eagle that is unique to Africa and its striking beauty and haunting cry are symbolic of the many waterways and wild wetlands found south of the Sahara Desert. With a mostly brown body, and a pure white head, breast, and tail, and large, powerful black wings, the fish eagle is a very distinctive bird. As is typical with birds of prey, the female is larger than the male, usually weighing eight pounds with a wingspan of eight feet. The fish eagle can live for forty years but rarely live beyond twenty in the wild, and their first year of life is their hardest.
Photo taken by Mark Homann
These magnificent eagles breed during the dry season when the water levels are lower. They pair for life and build and maintain one or two nests within their territory. These nests become huge as they build onto them each year, reaching six feet wide and four feet deep. One to three eggs are laid in the nest, hatching after six weeks; rarely will more than one chick survive due to the Cane and Abel syndrome, a practice of the eldest chick killing the younger ones.
After eight weeks the chick is feeding itself and begins the long journey to adulthood. The young birds will not develop their adult plumage for five years. During this time they venture away from their parents’ territory, living a nomadic life until they find their mate and own territory.
While the African Fish Eagle’s primary source of food is fish, which they will swoop down on (usually from a perch), they are known to prey on waterfowl, turtles, carrion and even flamingos and baby crocodiles.
Click the image below to hear the fish eagle’s calling:
This post was originally syndicated from
Site : Live the Magic of Africa.
Feed : http://feeds.feedburner.com/livethemagicofafrica/iFGp.
Tags: African fish eagle, fish eagle, syndicated
