Bird · GBIF taxon 2480454
African Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus vociferAlso known as African Sea Eagle
The African Fish Eagle is a large waterside raptor with a white head, breast, and tail contrasting with chestnut body feathers and black wings. Its ringing paired call carries across lakes as it watches from exposed branches and snatches fish near the surface.
Waterside RaptorFish HunterResonant Call
Licensed referenceDerek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fish
- Waterbirds
- Freshwater turtles
Predators
- Larger eagles
- Monitor lizards
- Large snakes
ThreatsWetland degradation, water pollution, pesticide accumulation, shoreline development, and entanglement in fishing gear
HabitatsFreshwater lakes, broad rivers, reservoirs, marshes, lagoons, estuaries, and wooded shorelines
Life spanLikely 15 to 25 years, with long-term pairs occupying productive territories
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesHaliaeetus vocifer
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch from a fixed distance and stay well outside nest trees and shoreline feeding perches.
Responsible observation
- Call: Listen for a far-carrying series of ringing notes over open water.
- Plumage: Adults combine a white head and tail with chestnut body and dark wings.
- Perch: Scan prominent dead branches without approaching the base of the tree.
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