Excitement as BEPR confirms a chick in the nest
Depending on footage from the Africam to confirm that a second chick has in fact hatched, the normal Cain and Abel scenario will unfold whereby the older chick kills the younger one.
On Tuesday, May 24, the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR) shared some exciting news about the presence of a black eagle chick in the nest at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG).
In conjunction with the Africam video footage, BEPR is happy to announce the hatching of the first chick of this season.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/03/02/wsnbg-black-eagles-live-on-webcam/
According to BEPR the hatching happened during a bad spell of weather, with cold temperatures and icy winds prevailing, but Makatsa kept it all together till the first egg hatched.
Photographer and observer, Johann van den Berg confirmed the following day that a chick had hatched.
“We have no means to confirm that there were two eggs, but we might have an indication by Saturday, May 28 or Sunday, May 29 if a second chick has hatched.
“This will largely depend on the Africam web cam, and we should be able to see both chicks provided they move around the nest,” said Johan.
On Wednesday morning, May 25 viewers on the Africam could clearly see the chick moving around while Makatsa was feeding it.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/03/02/wsnbg-black-eagles-live-on-webcam/
Depending on footage from the Africam to confirm that a second chick has in fact hatched, the normal Cain and Abel scenario will unfold whereby the older chick kills the younger one.
The eggs are laid four days apart, so the first chick will be four days older than the second one, quite a difference in eagle terms.
The surviving chick will grow at a phenomenal rate, and a great burden will be placed on the parents to supply it with food constantly.
“Thanks to volunteer rangers and interested parties, the Ridge is constantly surveyed and illegal snares are removed, which will result in a good supply of suitable prey for the adults to comply with the demands of the chick,” said Johan.
BEPR monitors will keep a close watch on further developments, and keep all the black eagle followers updated.
Members of the public who would like to watch what Makatsa and Mahlori are up to can do so on this link
