African Fish Eagle

Nicknamed “the voice of Africa,” African fish eagles have loud, distinctive calls that reverberate over the freshwater lakes of sub-Saharan Africa. This large eagle inhabits areas near significant bodies of water with plenty of food. Its reach is far and wide throughout the continent; it is the national bird for three countries: Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan.

4 Amazing Bird Facts

• African fish eagles are monogamous and mate for life.
• They are descendants of an ancient sea eagle lineage.
• Their feet have rough soles, so slippery fish don’t get away.
• Snakes and monkeys like to steal their eggs.

Where to Find the African Fish Eagle

The African fish eagle ranges over most of the African continent, South of the Sahara Desert. While this eagle occurs in many areas around large lakes, you can specifically find them in large populations around Lake Victoria, any of the Rift Valley lakes, Lake Malawi, the Orange River, and the Okavango Delta. You can find diverse habitats within the tropical savanna biome, especially those associated with water. Look for these birds soaring in the sky or perched on a comfortable branch near rivers, lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, swamps, rainforests, marshes, and deserts bordering coastlines. This eagle stays in its habitat year-round and leads a relatively sedentary lifestyle. They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day.  

African Fish Eagles can be found in more than 30 countries around the world, including Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Nests

Eagle pairs build and maintain their nests using twigs and other pieces of wood, which they construct on tall trees. The nests can grow large, reaching six feet across and almost four feet deep. Nest building is a gradual process and typically takes several breeding seasons to get that large.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the African Fish Eagle is Haliaeetus vocifer. In New Latin, the name Haliaeetus (genus) means “sea eagle.” The African fish eagle and its species pair, the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, are descendants of an ancient sea eagle lineage, giving them their dark beaks, talons, and eyes. The French naturalist François Levaillant called the African fish eagle “the vociferous one,” hence the name vocifer.

Evolution and Classification 

The African fish eagle belongs to the genus Haliaeetus and is considered to be one of the oldest avian species on the planet. Its membership in this group of mainly piscivorous raptors means it is also the cousin of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), and the Steller’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). Like other members of its family, it shares a significantly arched beak and bare legs and feet.

And like them, its history begins with the genus which scientists agree was an established presence about 12 – 16 million years ago, during the Miocene. They also assert that the ancestor of the modern-day Haliaeetus lived in an extensive, shallow body of water, which corresponded to the present-day Bay of Bengal. The history of this avian family might go even further back to the Oligocene in North Africa, where fossil evidence has been discovered of an even earlier form, which experts believe was somewhat similar to its descendants today.

Size, Appearance, and Behavior

Adults have a distinct appearance with brown bodies, white heads, and black wings. Its breast and tail are also snow white, with a featherless yellow face and dark brown eyes. This species is considered large and features sexual dimorphism. The females are more prominent, weighing between 7.1 and 7.9 pounds, with a wingspan of 7.9 feet. The males weigh 4.4 to 5.5 pounds, with a 6.6-foot wingspan. 

It has a hook-shaped beak to catch and kill its prey, which is helpful for birds of prey. Their feet have powerful talons and rough soles, perfect for picking up and holding onto slippery fish. Their calls are distinctive; they throw their heads back and exclaim, “weeah kyow kow kow.”

These sedentary birds live in pairs and wait for their prey perched atop trees, then swoop down and swiftly grab their catch before returning to their branch. They also participate in kleptoparasitism, the practice of stealing food from other bird species; they often steal food from goliath herons. 

Diet

Its diet includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and other birds.

What Does an African Fish Eagle Eat?

The African Fish Eagle is a carnivore and primarily eats fish, especially mullets and catfish. But they will also eat cichlids, tilapia, characins, and African tiger fish. However, it also feeds on birds, particularly waterfowl like ducks and flamingos. Its other prey includes reptiles, amphibians, carrion, and small mammals like monkeys and hares. If given the opportunity, the African fish eagle may steal domestic chickens.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists the African fish eagle as “least concern” and considers its population stable. Presently, there are no significant threats facing this species; it’s not particularly persecuted by humans or affected by habitat loss. In some regions, there is a build-up of pesticides, which results in their prey being contaminated, which could potentially thin their eggshells. Other potential threats include the degradation of water quality, the development of shoreline habitats, and the entanglements of non-biodegradable gill nets.

What Eats the African Fish Eagle?

These birds of prey have very few predators, including humans, who don’t affect them much. But their eggs are vulnerable to being stolen and eaten. Snakes, Nile monitors, and monkeys are known for stealing and consuming their young. They also compete for food with the tawny eagle.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Reproduction occurs during the dry season when the water levels are low, which can vary by region. Females lay one to three eggs, and the couple takes 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. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 24 years.

Population

Their population size is 300,000 individuals with steady numbers. The conservation status is “least concern” due to their extremely large range and population size. There is also no evidence of any declines or substantial threats.

A study from 1987 to 1999 witnessed the African fish eagle population decline by half at Lake Naivasha in Kenya due to food shortage. There was just enough food to keep them alive, but not enough to breed. Researchers concluded there is a direct link between seasonality changes and lake health, which has the potential to harm the wildlife in that habitat.