Did you know that in addition to the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle (the two species indigenous to the U.S.) there are sixty-three other species of eagles (not including the sub-species)? Callie Plakovic, the World Bird Sanctuary's Outreach Coordinator has embarked on a project to learn all she can about these amazing creatures, and will be sharing that information with our readers each month.
The Vulturine Fish Eagle
(Gypohierax angolensis), commonly referred to as the Palm-Nut Vulture, is one
of the few birds-of-prey that are known to incorporate fruit and vegetables as
a staple in their diet.
An adult Vulturine Fish Eagle (photo: the Wikimedia Files)
This species is identified
by its beautiful, white plumage, black wings and tail feathers, and a reddish
bare skin about the head, throat, and neck. These raptors normally weigh anywhere between 3-4 pounds and
are commonly mistaken for the African fish eagle and the Egyptian vulture,
although it does not display a chestnut chest or white tail feathers,
respectively.
An adult Vulturine Fish Eagle in flight (photo: the Wikimedia files)
Male and female Vulturine
Fish Eagles are almost identical with the exception that the female is just
slightly larger than the male.
Juveniles are prominently brown with black wings until they gain their
adult plumage at about three to four years old.
A juvenile Vulturine Fish Eagle feasting on its favorite food (photo: the Wikimedia files)
This old world vulture,
the smallest of the old world vultures, enjoys snacking on the husks of oil
palm and raffia palm tree fruits and wild dates, which constitute 58 to 65
percent of the adult diet and up to 92 percent of the juvenile’s. They often times are found hanging
upside down below the fruit, where they pull the palm nut off the tree with their
beaks and then hold it with their feet to eat. Though, every so often they may also be found feeding on
crabs, mollusks, locusts, fish, and on rare occasion even domestic
poultry. This hunter will seldom
be found hunched over a carcass, unlike many African vultures.
These adaptive birds breed
in forests and savannahs across Sub-Saharan Africa, staying within range of
water and oil palm trees.
A Vulturine Fish Eagle egg (photo: the Wikimedia files)
Breeding Vulturine Fish
Eagles construct their nest high above the forest floor in tall trees. They become strongly attached to their
nesting site, remaining in its locality year round. During their breeding cycle a single chocolate-brown egg is
laid and incubated by both the male and female for a total period of four to
six weeks. Once the egg is hatched
the chick will remain in the nest for around 85 to 90 days before fledging.
The Vulturine Fish Eagle
is widespread across Africa, inhabiting areas from the Gambia River to Kenya
and reaching as far south as northeast South Africa. These birds are known to follow the fruit ripening of the
oil palm tree, which is most common to coastal forests and mangrove
swamps. If you are looking to find
a Vulturine Fish Eagle, follow the food and in return you may find one of these
unique raptors.
Even though the World Bird
Sanctuary does not have a Vulturine Fish Eagle we do have several other eagle
species from around the world on display at our headquarters in Valley Park,
Missouri. Be sure to check these
out when you visit.
Submitted by Callie
Plakovik, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator
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