African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus voicifer)

Our newest eagle to our collection is the African Fish Eagle. She was captive bred in the UK in 2008 and arrived at the centre at the end of July. She will be trained as part of one of our Outside Display Teams and especially for the 'Wings Out of Africa' display.

It will take her about 5 years to reach full adult plumage, when she will have a white head, neck and upper chest. Rest of body will be chesnut-brown in colouration, and back of wings will be black.

IN THE WILD

Origin:  Africa - all countries south of the Sahara and southern parts of Western Africa.

Diet: Mainly fish, but also birds (mainly nestlings) and occasionally mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and rarely carrion.

Fishes mainly surface feeding fish and can lift up to 1.5kg easily.  Once airborne can carry 2kg easily for considerable distances.

Usually only one in seven or eight fishing attempts are successful, usually spends less than 10 minutes a day fishing, except when feeding young.

Habitat: Usually always around water: large freshwater lakes, rivers, floodplains and stocked dams, but also swamps and alkaline lakes; on the coast: creeks, estuaries and mangrove lagoons, preferably with calm waters. 

Birds are usually sedentary except in times of drought, floods and loss of food supply.