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    African fish eagle

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    With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”

    Sumeet Moghe








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    African fish eagle

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”

    Population

    A majestic bird of prey that inhabits the waterways and lakes of sub-Saharan Africa. This eagle is easily recognizable by its bold coloration: a white head, breast, and tail contrasting sharply with a dark brown body and wings, and a yellow face with a hooked beak.

    One of the most fascinating aspects of the African fish eagle is its hunting technique. As its name suggests, fish make up the bulk of its diet, although it is known to eat birds, small mammals, and carrion when fish are scarce. The eagle typically hunts by soaring high above the water, scanning for potential prey with its keen eyesight. Once it spots a fish near the surface, the eagle swoops down with incredible speed and accuracy, extending its powerful talons to snatch the fish from the water. Its feet are equipped with rough, spiny pads that help grip slippery fish, and its talons are curved and sharp, perfect for catching and holding onto its prey.

    African fish eagles are also known for their impressive vocalizations. Their call, a loud and melodious yodeling sound, is often described as one of the most iconic sounds of the African wilderness. These calls are used to communicate with other eagles, establish territory, and during mating rituals. The pair’s duet, where both the male and female call in unison, strengthens their bond and reinforces their dominance over a territory.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Angola
    2020
    Benin
    2020
    Botswana
    2020
    Burkina Faso
    2020
    Burundi
    2020
    Cameroon
    2020
    Central Af. Rep.
    2020
    Chad
    2020
    Congo-Brazzaville
    2020
    Côte D’ivoire
    2020
    DR Congo (Kinshasa)
    2020
    Egypt
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Equatorial Guinea
    2020
    Eritrea
    2020
    Eswatini
    2020
    Ethiopia
    2020
    Gabon
    2020
    Gambia
    2020
    Ghana
    2020
    Guinea-Bissau
    2020
    Guinea
    2020
    Kenya
    2020
    Lesotho
    2020
    Liberia
    2020
    Malawi
    2020
    Mali
    2020
    Mauritania
    2020
    Mozambique
    2020
    Namibia
    2020
    Niger
    2020
    Nigeria
    2020
    Rwanda
    2020
    Senegal
    2020
    Sierra Leone
    2020
    Somalia
    2020
    South Africa
    2020
    South Sudan
    2020
    Sudan
    2020
    Tanzania
    2020
    Togo
    2020
    Uganda
    2020
    Zambia
    2020
    Zimbabwe
    2020

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Least Concern(IUCN)
    World Population
    Added by BioDB
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    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Icthyophaga vocifer Other names:

    African sea eagle

    Physical traits

    Length: 63 – 75 cm (25 – 30 in) Weight Male: 2 – 3 kg (4 – 6 pounds) Weight Female: 3 – 4 kg (7 – 8 pounds) Lifespan: 12 – 24 years Wingspan: 2 m (7 ft) – Male
    2.4 m (8 ft) – Female
     Incubation: 42 – 45 days Eggs: 1 – 3 eggs
    Habitats: Coastal Marine Fresh water Lakes Marsh Swamp Rivers
    Regions: Africa
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