Changes happening in the black eagle nest at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

As 2024 begins, a new journey begins for the three black eagles that have found their home in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. Makatsa and Mahlori have some time to themselves since the juvenile left the nest.

Dougie Crewe, an observer from Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR), stated that Juve 23, the juvenile, left the nest on December 20, in the days leading up to her departure an increase in aggression from Makatsa and Mahlori was observed to show her it’s time to leave the nest.

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He explained the juvenile usually fledges between 90 to 100 days after hatching, Juve 23 fledged on 96 days. For three months after the juvenile fledged, the adults taught it how to fly, hunt and fend for itself. Once this is done, the juvenile is ready to leave the nest. He noted the adults encourage the juvenile to leave the nest by showing aggression, subtly at first and more and more until the juvenile eventually leaves.

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“So, now we go into the rest period for the adults. They will take it easy, enjoying each other’s company on the ridges in the botanical garden, until they start preparing for the new season in February/ March,” said Crewe.

He noted they prepare the same nest for the next breeding season by bringing in more sticks. At first, they bring in big ones and eventually smaller ones, once they are ready to lay the eggs they then start using small twigs to line the nest.