Bald Eagle in a far off land About This Page:

[FanOfMickey]

One sight I always go to early mornings or late evenings is Africam.com. It is a Webcam in Africa close to a water hole. Nala also goes on it or used to at least.

I know there is some kinda resort near by as sometimes when the camera is moving, you can see the building. Occasionally you see a truck with lights on behind some trees if it is dark out.

Well imagine my suprise when I check it out tonight and see non other then a Bald Eagle. mmmm I am wondering if this is actually some kinda Wild animal park right here in the U.S.

[chezp]

I must admit I wouldn't expect to see one there - how neat.

[Tricia Davids]

Sounds Interesting????

[ripkensnana]

What you saw was an African Fish Eagle, which looks amazingly like our own American Bald Eagle. I tried to insert a link, but got a really strange website when I put it into my post....here's what Wikpedia says:

Description



The African Fish Eagle is a large bird, and the female is larger than the males. Males usually have a wingspan of about 2 m (6 feet), while females have wingspans of more than 2.4 m (8 feet). They are very distinctive in appearance with a mostly brown body and large, powerful, black wings. The head, breast, and tail of African Fish Eagles are snow white and the hook-shaped beak is mostly yellow with a black tip.

Range and habitat

This species is still quite common near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, although they can sometimes be found near the coast at the mouths of rivers or lagoons. As their name implies, African Fish Eagles are indigenous to Africa, ranging over most of continental Africa south of the southern-most edge of the Sahara Desert.

Reproduction

Breeding season for African Fish Eagles is during the dry season, when water levels are low. African Fish Eagles are believed to mate for life, and pairs will often maintain two or more nests, which they will frequently re-use. Because nests are re-used and built upon over the years the nests can grow to be quite large, some reaching 2m (six feet) across and 1.2 m (4 feet) deep. The nests are placed in a large tree and built mostly of sticks and other pieces of wood.
The female lays 1 to 3 eggs, which are primarily white with a few reddish speckles. Incubation is mostly done by the female, but the male will incubate when the female leaves to hunt. Incubation lasts for 42 to 45 days before the chicks hatch. The eggs will often hatch a few days apart, and the eldest chick will usually kill any younger chicks. Fledging lasts for 70 to 75 days, and after about 8 weeks the chick is capable of feeding itself and will usually begin to venture outside of the nest 2 weeks later.

Fish eagles perch prominently in trees with a very upright posture.



Diet

The African Fish Eagle feeds mainly on fish, which, upon spying it from a perch in a tree, it will swoop down upon and snatch from the water with its large clawed talons and fly back to its perch to eat. Should the African Fish Eagles catch a fish over 1.8 kg (4 pounds) it will be too heavy to allow it to get lift, so it will instead drag the fish across the surface of the water until it reaches the shore. If it catches a fish that is too heavy to even allow the eagle to sustain flight, it will drop into the water and paddle to the nearest shore with its wings. It will also feed on waterfowl, small turtles, baby crocodiles, and carrion.

[FanOfMickey]

Thanks Carol I was thinking today at work there must be some kind of bird that looks like our Bald Eagle. I was actually going to do a search to find out.

I was beginning to wonder if this webcam was actually in Africa or some kinda park here in U.S. to look like one lol. I was sooo confused lol.