While sitting at the Maphumulo Picnic site last week we heard the call of an African Fish Eagle.
We spotted this pair perched high up in a Fever tree in the distance across the river.
Clearly this was a breeding pair as a lot of 'duetting' took place.
African Fish Eagles are large birds, weighing anything from 2 to 3,6 kilograms
The distinct line at the base of the tree shows clearly how the water level has dropped in recent months - we desperately need rain, and lots of it.
This is another first for me and I am pleased to have caught two African Fish Eagles in one shot! The female is the bigger bird on the right. Soon after the exchange of 'words' in the second photo, mating took place. Unfortunately I did not have a tripod with me, but the video did not turn out too shabby, except for a very shaky beginning when I had lost the subjects at full zoom!
I will post the video when I have figured out how to edit out the start of the clip
According to information found at
this link, the stray white feathers of the female indicate that it is a young bird. Probably her first breeding season?
