The call of this beautiful eagle is synonymous with the African wilderness. In this video, a mating pair does their part to ensure the species’ future.
Marthinus Laubscher submitted this short video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it near Lower Sabie Rest Camp, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Distinctive silhouettes
While parked up near a stretch of water, Marthinus spotted the distinctive silhouettes of a pair of raptors. Sensing a special moment was afoot, he raised his camera to film the birds.
The birds he’d spotted are African fish eagles. As their name suggests, they are commonly seen along the various waterways of sub-Saharan Africa.
Distinctive calls
No sooner had he begun filming than the female (on the left) threw her head back. Almost immediately, the male followed suit.
As they did, the pair dueted one of the most distinctive bird calls in all of Africa. The high-pitched “kyow-kow-kow” signalled their dominance over the surrounding skies and waters.
Although the birds are very similar in appearance, females are 25% bigger than females. Furthermore, her white breast feathers extend further down her chest, and she has a “deeper” call.
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Distinctive message
Subsequently, the male raised his wings as if to take off. The male’s wingspan is about 2 metres, compared to 2.4 m for the female.
However, instead of flying off, he perched on a broken branch near his partner. Like most eagles, fish eagles are monogamous and pair for life.
As he landed, the female lowered her head and, in so doing, gave her mate a clear message. Having proclaimed their territory, it was now time for the pair to plan their legacy.
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Romantic balancing act
Not needing to be asked twice, the male sprang into action. Launching himself, he moved towards his partner.
To Marthinus’s companion’s surprise, the male then landed directly on top of the female.
However, as Marthinus explains, the male was not attacking her. His intentions were altogether more romantic in nature.
Subsequently, we see the male, with wings held aloft for balance, proceed to mate with her. Thankfully, the whole process took just a few seconds.
His mission accomplished, the male dismounted and resumed his position on the branch nearby. Assuming all went well, the female would lay a clutch of up to three eggs within ten days. Thereafter, incubation takes about 45 days.
Iconic sentinels of the river
As the video draws to its conclusion, we see the pair resume their lofty sentinel. Fish eagles are territorial birds, known for vigorously defending their space against intruders.
Should you spot these iconic raptors, cross your fingers. You may be lucky enough to see one swoop down to the water before thrusting its talons forward to snatch a fish from just below the surface.