African Fish-Eagle

Introduction: African fish-eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer) are usually associated with large water bodies including estuaries, but are known to hang around dry rivers until pools have dried up in search of the food. This could including hunting Etosha National Park's only fish, the sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) . The African Fish Eagle is the official bird of Namibia, appearing on the countries coat of arms.

African fish eagles can be observed in pairs, perched on large waterside trees on the lookout for prey. Roosts near water, in cliffs or in tall trees. A characteristic of the African fish-eagle is their aggressive territorial behaviour (vocifer is Latin for vociferous) when 2 birds will catch each other by the feet and cartwheel down, only parting just before they hit the water.  

Distribution: Kunene, Kavango Rivers, Chobe / Zambezi River systems, Hardap Dam, Etosha National Park and Fish River Canyon.

Diet: Kills fish up to 3kg such as tilapia and sharptooth catfish, waterfowl such as ducks and teals. Also takes eggs and nestlings of avian prey. Reptile prey includes Nile crocodile hatchlings and terrapins, vlei rats. Mammal prey taken includes hyrax and vervet monkeys, amphibians and termites.

Description: Long and broad wings with a short tail. Large arched bill with short legs, strong feet and claws, with sharp spicules on the soles adapted for keeping hold of slippery prey. Haliaeetus is Greek for 'fishing-eagle'.

Breeding: A large stick structure is lined with leaves where between 1 and 4 eggs are laid and incubated for up to 45 days.

Size: 70cm.

Weight: 2-3kg.