WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - African Fish Eagle Video

This  post is mainly to show you the VIDEO at the end and give you a little information about the African Fish Eagle - Haliaeetus vocifer which is 63–73 cm; 2–3.8 kg; and wingspan 1.9 m.  All were photographed from a moving small boat!

Adult. unmistakable; white head, breast and tail contrast with black and chestnut wings, back and underparts.  CLICK HERE to see a previous video and  photos of an adult.

CLICK HERE to see video and photos of a sub adult Fish Eagle.

Female larger and more extensively white on breast than male. Juvenile is a motley looking brown-and-white streaked bird that is easily misidentified.

The head is mostly white, streaked with brown, with a dark eye stripe; tail is distinctive – longer than ad's, white with a broad, dark brown terminal bar. Gradually neatens with age, taking 4–5 years to acquire ad. plumage. Facial mask may lead to confusion with Western Osprey, but is much larger, with broader wings, and white tail with dark terminal bar. Voice: Ringing ‘kyow-kow-kow' with head thrown back, given from perches or in flight; male's call is higher pitched. 

Pairs live year-round in territories on large rivers, lakes, estuaries and lagoons. Preys mainly on fish, but also scavenges at carcasses, robs nestlings from heronries, catches ducks and other birds, and steals fish and other prey from storks, pelicans and other water birds.

CLICK HERE if the video does not appear below.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these magnificent birds of prey.

Thank you for visiting and also to those who leave comments.