Excitement and anticipation are running high at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden as the juvenile black eagle chick grows bolder by the day, and is expected to leave the nest for the first time very soon.
The chick has grown significantly in the past few months and now boasts beautiful feathers that more closely resemble its famous parents, though they are still a little lighter in colour.
According to Black Eagle Project of Roodekrans committee member Dougie Crewe, Juve24, as the young eagle has been dubbed, is growing more confident as he comes closer to straying out of the nest.
“It is often spotted sitting at the edge of the nest, spreading its already impressive wings in preparation for the day that it finally takes to flight.”
Dougie adds that the eaglet is expected to leave the nest anywhere from the last week of August to the first week of September.
Monitors have been closely watching the nest just in case, with everyone from professional slingers to amateur photographers vying to get the first photo of Juve24 in flight.
“There is at this stage no indication of whether Juve24 is male or female,” says Dougie. “That can likely only be determined through DNA testing.”
Avid photographer and eagle monitor Johann van den Berg snapped a set of beautiful pictures of Juve24 on the edge of the nest, spreading its wings majestically.
“It is exercising its wings and making them stronger as it learns how to use them,” says Dougie.
“The day of it finally building up the strength and courage to leave the nest is growing nearer and instinct drives it to prepare.”
Meanwhile, parents Mahlori and Makatsa are keeping a close eye on their eaglet as they soar near the nest, regularly bringing food for the young eagle to feast on.
