Eagle - Fish Eagle
Read More
A pair of mature Fish Eagles on a dead limb near the water's edge. I love to hear a pair calling to one another in the early morning: the male's voice is higher pitched. It is said that these birds mate for life. [Lafupa River, Zambia]
A mature Fish Eagle. [Lake Karibe, Zimbabwe]
This male Fish Eagle is wading into the water and creating a beautiful, unusual reflection, which I could not resist. I had not previously seen one wade into a large lake. [Lake Karibe, Matusadona, Zimbabwe].
1st image: A Fish Eagle expertly snaring a fish swimming just beneath the water's surface. The bird flies over the fish, with its talons outstretched, and sweeping the legs backwards, drive the sharp claws into the fish's body. They know precisely where the fish is, because they automatically compensate for light-refraction in water. Their timing, while both fish and bird are moving at high speed, is impressive. Please see the subsequent 3 images. [Lake Karibe, Zimbabwe].
3rd image: The Fish Eagle now has secured the family dinner in both claws Please consult text of 1st & 2nd images of this sequence. [Lake Karibe, Zimbabwe].
4th image: the Fish Eagle carries the catch back to its waiting family. Please consult the captions of the previous 3 images. [Lake Karibe. Zimbabwe].
A juvenile Fish Eagle: At maturity, the brown underside turns darker, and the splotchy brown on the shoulder & back will become black. [Lake Karibe, Zimbabwe].
Triple image: These are 3 different Fish Eagles: L, bird in tree over water--a common sight; Ctr, bird having snared a fish in the river retuning to its nest; R, nighttime a mile from the river, now hunting birds or small animals on the plains. [L & Ctr, Lafupa River, Zambia; R, Busanga Plains. Zambia].
A view of a flying subadult Fish Eagle's dorsal surface. When it gets older, the brown patches on the leading edges of the wings will become darker. [Hwange NP, Zimbabwe]
2nd image: The Fish Eagle easily lifts its prey out of the water (Please see text in 1st image, and view the 2 images that follow). [Lake Karibe, Zimbabwe]
I couldn't resist the beutiful view of the Fish Eagle on a stump close-by. I think it was a male because of his high-pitched voice, as he called to his mate. [Botswana].
A pair of Fish Eagles, both looking in the same direction, as they rest in the woodlands near a river. [Botswana].
