Duncan Butchart singles out some of the continent’s most charismatic and enticing birds, and tells you where to find them. In this edition he turns his trained eye to the African fish eagle.
The ringing cry of the African fish eagle is one of the most arresting and evocative sounds of the continent’s wild places. These large and magnificent eagles inhabit the shores of most water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa, whether rivers, lakes, man-made dams, estuaries or coastlines.
To see one of these dashing birds swoop to the water and scoop up a large fish in its powerful talons is a breathtaking experience. Surface-feeding fish such as tilapia, catfish and mullet are the preferred prey, but ducks, coots and other waterfowl are frequently taken. Like other raptors, they are opportunists, often targeting crocodile hatchlings and young flamingos in breeding colonies. Fish eagles are also adept pirates, snatching fish from herons, storks and even kingfishers, and will sometimes feed on carrion alongside vultures. Like the other seven members of the genus Haliaetus around the globe (including the iconic American bald eagle), the African fish eagle is equipped with roughly scaled toes that allow it to grasp slippery prey.
Fish eagles pair up for life, and together defend a territory that provides ample fishy prey and nest sites, whether in the form of tall trees or, less often, cliff faces. The sexes are similar in appearance, though the female is larger and has a more extensive white chest patch. The fish eagle’s piercing call is often given in a duet, with both partners throwing back their heads as they deliver the far-reaching “weee-ah, whow, kow-kow-kow” territorial cry.
Typically, two eggs are laid in a bulky platform nest of sticks or papyrus stems, which is lined with grass and leaves. Incubation lasts for about six weeks, with the female being relieved by her mate only for short spells. In most instances, only one eaglet survives to fly from the nest. This is usually due to ‘Cainism’, where one sibling kills off another. The youngster is able to fly at ten weeks, although it will remain near the nest and be fed by its parents for at least two months. In the southern part of the continent, breeding commences in the dry winter months, but may happen at any time of year in East and West Africa.
Five places to see an African fish eagle 1. Okavango Delta, Botswana Nowhere are fish eagles more abundant and conspicuous than in the seasonal waterways of this remarkable wilderness.Great photo opportunities abound. 2. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda A boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Albert, will get you up close and personal with numerous fish eagles. Pelicans, storks, herons and geese also crowd the banks. 3. Lake Malawi, Malawi Fish eagles soar in pearly blue skies above this dreamy inland sea. Pairs cry out from atop baobab trees and keep a sharp eye on fishermen bringing in their catches. 4. Lake Baringo, Kenya Visit this remote but splendid lake in the dry badlands of Kenya’s Rift Valley for fish eagles galore. There’s also much more to delight a birder. Contact brilliant community guide Julius Rutto (
) for a great experience. 5. Gambia River, The Gambia Down a cold beer at a shady riverside bar as fish eagles peer down from their palm tree perches.
Conservation status Although high pesticide levels have been recorded in some fish eagle eggs in parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe, there is no evidence of a decrease in numbers. In fact, the fish eagle population has probably benefited from the proliferation of farm dams and large water impoundments that provide year-round feeding opportunities. Since DDT is still used widely in malaria control over much of Africa (this pesticide is now banned in Europe and the USA), continued monitoring of fish eagle eggs is required.
