The African Fish Eagle is February’s Raptor of the Month
Be sure to keep an eye out for March's Raptor of the Month.
When providing updates on the eagles for us all, the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans’ Johann van den Berg selects his own Raptor of the Month, and this month the honour goes to the African Fish Eagle.
While the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden’s pair of Black Eagles – Makatsa and Thulane – have developed quite the following in Roodepoort and around the world, there are thousands of other birds beloved by birdwatchers. Some of the most fascinating of these birds are the raptors, whose hunting escapades are often some of the most beautiful sights you can set your eyes on.
One such raptor is the African Fish Eagle, whose distinct cry always echoes through the air and is immediately recognisable by most people with just a rudimentary knowledge of birds.
For Johann there are many more reasons why he chose the African Fish Eagle as his Raptor of the Month.
“I love camping, and nothing gives me more pleasure while pitching my tent than to hear the call of the African Fish Eagle. I stop what I am doing, my face cracks open into a broad smile, and I know I am in a place I want to be. This bird is not only beautiful to look at, but the call is known and loved by everybody.
“Haliaeetus vocifer is such an apt name. It is derived from the Greek word halieos which means ‘fisherman’, and vocifer, which refers to the vociferous call. Those that have been lucky enough to have seen a Fish Eagle dive down to the surface of a dam or river and grasp a surface-feeding fish with those powerful talons, will certainly know how they got their name.
“Like our Black Eagles, they are highly territorial, but in this case, the female is a lot more aggressive than the male. She will attack an intruder from below, and often lock talons and cartwheel downwards, only letting go when very close to hitting the water or ground.”
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