Haliaeetus vociferoides

Flaying Animal | Haliaeetus vociferoides | The large Madagascar fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides) is one of the rarest birds of prey and is the largest raptor in Madagascar. 70-80 cm. Large fish-eagle. Dark reddish-brown back and underparts (latter streaked rufous), dark brown cap, whitish cheeks and throat. Dark brown wings, rather short white tail. Juvenile streaked on head, with pale fringes to flight feathers and paler underparts, and dark tail. Its closest relative is the African Fish Eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer. Together, they form a distinct species pair lineage of sea-eagles, which separated soon after the divergence of the genus; they retain the ancestral dark beak, talon, and eye, but unlike other Haliaeetus species, they always have at least partially white tails, even while juvenile. As in other sea-eagle species pairs, one species (the Madagascar Fish Eagle in this case) has a tan head, while the other has a white one.

Distribution

This species is considered confined to the northwest coast of Madagascar north of Morondava, The principal locus of population according to the United Nations Environmental Programme is in the Analova region, 20 to 25 breeding pairs were there as of the 1980s. A more recent survey by Garbutt and Hogan report a smaller concentration of at least three breeding pairs in the Anjajavy Forest along the Indian Ocean, where several streams discharge north of Anjajavy Village.

Habitat

Madagascar fish-eagles occupy estuaries, mangroves and marine islands in the northwest, and inland freshwater rivers and lakes in the Antsalova region. They require large trees and or cliffs close to water for nesting and foraging.

Population justification
The current population is thought to be around 120 breeding pairs, equating to 240 mature individuals.

Scientific classification
Kingdom     :     Animalia
Phylum        :     Chordata
Class           :     Aves
Order          :     Falconiformes
Family         :     Accipitridae
Genus         :     Haliaeetus
Species       :     H. vociferoides

Binomial name
Haliaeetus vociferoides

Range
Endemic to Madagascar, the fish-eagle ranges along the west coast from Morombe in the southwest to Diego Suarez in the north. The population comprises at least 222 individuals (adults and juveniles) and includes 99 known breeding pairs. The population is fragmented into at least two sub-populations; one occupying the northwest coastal region and the other in the inland Antsalova region of west-central Madagascar.

Threats  Deforestation,
soil erosion and the development of wetland areas for rice-paddies have caused loss of nesting and foraging habitat. The species is threatened by direct human competition for fish-stocks, persecution through the taking of nestlings and shooting of adults, accidental entanglement in fishing-nets, disturbance at breeding sites by human activities and, according to local people, use of eagle body parts in food and traditional medicine.