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African fish eagle

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Known as the ‘Voice of Africa’, this eagle throws its head back and gives a loud, haunting cry. With its distinctive white head and tail, it can often be spotted in the wild perching in high branches beside rivers. When it locates a tasty looking fish, it will swoop down to catch it with a backwards swing of its talons. It will also eat small mammals, birds and carrion if they’re available and will often steal fish from other birds and local fishermen, if it gets a chance!

These efficient predators are so skilled that they only need to hunt for about 10 minutes every day, though not every attempt is successful. About one in seven hunts will end in a meal.

Conservation status | Least concern

Fact Sheet

Scientific name

Haliaeetus vocifer

Family

Accipitridae

Order

Accipitriformes

Lifespan

12 to 24 years in the wild. Up to 40 years in captivity.

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