African+Fish+Eagle


 * African Fish Eagle**

The African Fish Eagle, or African Sea Eagle, is a large species of eagle in Africa where there are large bodies of water available. This bird is the national bird of Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan. The African Fish Eagle resembles the Bald Eagle, however, the two occur on different continents, so are considered different species.

For this bird, the females are bigger than the males, with the female weighing 7-8 pounds while the males weigh 4.4-5.5 pounds. Also, females have a wingspan of 8 feet, males only having a wingspan of 6 feet. For both the male and female, the head, breast and tail are white, with an exception of the featherless face, which is yellow. The birds have rough talons in order to grab their slippery prey - aquatic life. This species is commonly found by bodies of water. In South Africa, this animal can be found by the Orange River. The eagle typically stays away from places with little water.

The eagle breeds during the dry season, when water levels are low. They are believed to stay with their mates their whole life. Pairs will use maintain two or more nests, which they frequently reuse. These nests can grow quite large, some getting as large as six feet across and four feet deep. Females will lay 1-3 eggs and incubate them. The male will incubate the eggs when the females go to hunt. The incubation period lasts for 42-45 days before the eggs hatch. Typically, the birds are able to raise two to three young.

Fish mainly make up most of the bird's diet, however, they are known to eat other animals. They will eat some species of bird, including goliath herons. Also, it will feed on water fowl like ducks, small turtles, baby crocodiles, flamingos, lizards, frogs and even carrion. Occasionally, it will eat small mammals like hyraxes and monkeys. Right now, it at //Least Concern// by IUNC. The estimated population is 300,000 animals.