The African
Fish-Eagle – Haliaeetus vocifer- bird
of the year for 2012, shows a roughly stable picture between SABAP1 and SABAP2.
In the Western Cape
the conservation status of the African Fish-Eagle is now a little bit better
than it was two decades ago.
The African Fish Eagle - Haliaeetus
vocifer- is a large species of eagle that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They are found wherever large bodies of open
water occur that have an abundant food supply. The African Fish Eagle is
usually seen in pairs and they evenly share the kills. It is the national bird
of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Description
The African Fish Eagle is a large
bird, and the female is larger than the male. The adult is very distinctive in
appearance with a mostly brown body and large, powerful, black wings. The head,
breast, and tail of African Fish Eagles are snow white, with the exception of
the featherless face, which is yellow. The eyes are dark brown in colour. The
hook-shaped beak, ideal for a carnivorous lifestyle, is yellow with a black
tip. The plumage of the juvenile is brown and the eyes are paler compared to
the adult. The feet have rough soles and are equipped with powerful talons in
order to enable the eagle to grasp slippery aquatic prey.
Call
Its distinctive cry has become
synonymous with the sound of Africa. It has
two distinct calls - in flight or perched, the sound is something like the
American Bald Eagle. When near the nest, its call is more of a 'quock' sound -
the female is a little shriller and less mellow than the male. The call is a weee-ah,
hyo-hyo or a heee-ah, heeah-heeah.
Food
The African Fish Eagle feeds
mainly on fish. It is an opportunistic feeder and may take a wider variety of
prey such as water-birds, reptiles and carrion. They may also raid colonies of
nesting waterbirds for young and eggs.
Breeding
Breeding season for African Fish
Eagles is during the dry season when water levels are low. African Fish Eagles
are believed to mate for life. Pairs will often maintain two or more nests,
which they will frequently re-use.
The female lays 1 to 3 eggs,
which are primarily white with a few reddish speckles. Incubation is mostly
done by the female, but the male will incubate when the female leaves to hunt.
Incubation lasts for 42 to 45 days before the chicks hatch. The eggs will often
hatch a few days apart, and the eldest chick will usually kill any younger
chicks. Fledging lasts for 70 to 75 days and after about 8 weeks the chick is
capable of feeding itself and will usually begin to venture outside of the nest
2 weeks later.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
The estimated population size is
about 300,000 individuals
Bird watching
Widespread in Southern
Africa, its habitat is usually limited to larger rivers, lakes,
pans and dams, with enough large trees for it to perch on. These eagles are
also found near coastal lagoons and estuaries. It is most frequently seen
sitting high in a tall tree from where it has a good view of the stretch of
river, lakeshore or coastline, which is its territory.
To see these magnificent birds of
prey book on one of these Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves North East Birding Tour /
Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast Birding Tour /
Safari /Adventure.