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| Haliaeetus vocifer |
Flaying Animal | Haliaeetus vocifer | The African Fish Eagle is most frequently seen by the rivers, lakes and coasts of Africa south of the Sahara.The body length is 63–75 cm (25–30 in). 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 in colour, 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.
Habitat:The African Fish Eagle is usually seen in pairs inside and outside the breeding season, even sharing kills made by either of them. They spend more time perched than flying, and usually settle for the day by mid morning.
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| Haliaeetus vocifer |
Distribution:
Widespread in South Africa, the African Fish Eagle is particularly common in and around some of the Rift Valley lakes.
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| Haliaeetus vocifer |
Reproduction
Breeding season for African Fish Eagles is during the dry season, when water levels are low. African Fish Eagles are believed to be monogamous - in other words, they mate for life.[13] Pairs will often maintain two or more nests, which they will frequently re-use. Because nests are re-used and built upon over the years the nests can grow to be quite large, some reaching 2m (six feet) across and 1.2 m (4 feet) deep. The nests are placed in a large tree and built mostly of sticks and other pieces of wood.
Fish eagle from front
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; this tactic is known as siblicide and is also found in other birds of prey. 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.
Fish eagle from front
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; this tactic is known as siblicide and is also found in other birds of prey. 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.
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| Haliaeetus vocifer |
Reeding
Monogamous, territorial solitary nest, performing a courtship display in which the male repeatedly dives at the female, who presents her talons.
The nest (see image below) is mainly built by the female in roughly two months, consisting of a large platform of sticks or Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) lined with grass, papyrus heads, other aquatic plants and occasionally weaver nests. Due to the considerable effort required to build one, the nest is often reused over many breeding seasons, although sometimes a breeding pair may have multiple nests, alternating between them over many years. It is typically placed on a cliff ledge or at the top of a tall tree, usually less than 100 metres from water; it has been recorded to use the following trees for nesting.
Monogamous, territorial solitary nest, performing a courtship display in which the male repeatedly dives at the female, who presents her talons.
The nest (see image below) is mainly built by the female in roughly two months, consisting of a large platform of sticks or Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) lined with grass, papyrus heads, other aquatic plants and occasionally weaver nests. Due to the considerable effort required to build one, the nest is often reused over many breeding seasons, although sometimes a breeding pair may have multiple nests, alternating between them over many years. It is typically placed on a cliff ledge or at the top of a tall tree, usually less than 100 metres from water; it has been recorded to use the following trees for nesting.
The African Fish Eagle has two distinct calls. When near the nest its call is more of a "quock" sound - the female being, in all cases, a little shriller and less mellow than the male. So well known and clear is the call of this bird that it is often known as "the voice of Africa".
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| Haliaeetus vocifer |
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