The African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is a large bird of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa, known for its distinctive appearance and powerful cry. The estimated population size of the African fish eagle is about 300,000 individuals with a distribution area of 18,300,000 km2. This species is listed as least concern by the IUCN.

Habitat and Distribution

The African fish eagle is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, ranging over most of continental Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is a generalist species, requiring only open water with sufficient prey and a good perch, and can be found in a variety of habitat types, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, tropical rainforests, fynbos, and even desert-bordering coastlines.

Physical Characteristics

Image source: African fish eagle above water by Mehmet Karatay

The African fish eagle has a mostly brown body with a white head and tail, and large, powerful, black wings. The adult’s head, breast, and tail are snow white, except for the featherless face, which is yellow. The eyes are dark brown in color. 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 than the adult’s. The feet have rough soles and are equipped with powerful talons to enable the eagle to grasp slippery aquatic prey.

Feeding Habits

The African fish eagle subsists mainly on fish, but it is opportunistic and may take a wider variety of prey, such as waterbirds. It is known to steal the catch of other bird species, a practice known as kleptoparasitism. Targeted species are usually large wading birds such as Goliath herons, hammerkops, and shoebills, as well as kingfishers, pelicans, ospreys, and other fish eagles, which usually hunt large fish and take a long time to handle them.

Reproduction and Nesting

The African fish eagle breeds during the dry season, when water levels are low. They are believed to mate for life and build large, bulky stick nests in tall trees. The female lays one to three eggs, and both parents take turns incubating while the other hunts. The incubation period is 42 to 45 days, after which the chicks hatch and fledge around 70 to 75 days later. The parents will care for their young for three months after they leave the nest, but when they become nomadic, they congregate in groups away from adult eagles.

Territorial Behavior

The African fish eagle is a highly territorial species, with females being the most aggressive of the two sexes. Intruders are attacked aggressively, with fights sometimes ending in death. They mostly occur as a territorial pair, but almost always hunt alone.

Cultural Significance

The African fish eagle is the national bird of Zimbabwe and appears on the Zimbabwean flag. The bird also figures in the coats of arms of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and South Sudan, and on the Zambian flag.

In conclusion, the African fish eagle population is currently stable with an estimated population size of about 300,000 individuals. This species is known for its distinctive appearance, powerful cry, and unique feeding and nesting behaviors. The African fish eagle is also culturally significant, serving as the national bird of several African countries.

References:
– A-Z Animals
– The Peregrine Fund
– Wikipedia
– Nature Travel Africa
– Avi Birds