African Fish-Eagle
Haliaeetus vocifer
Silhouette: Ron Holmes/U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (source photo), T. Michael Keesey (vectorization) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusHaliaeetus (Northern Sea-Eagles and Fish-Eagles)
- SpeciesHaliaeetus vocifer (African Fish-Eagle)
About the African Fish-Eagle
The African fish eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) or the African sea eagle is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur. It is the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As a result of its large range, it is known in many languages. Examples of names include: visarend in Afrikaans, nkwazi in Chewa, aigle pêcheur in French, idì in Yoruba, hungwe in Shona, inkwazi in isiZulu, and ntšhu in Northern Sotho. Though this species may superficially resemble the bald eagle in appearance they are not closely related and the two species occur on different continents, with the bald eagle being endemic to North America.
The African fish eagle is a species placed in the genus Icthyophaga (fish eagles). Its closest relative appears to be the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle (I. vociferoides). Like all sea eagle species pairs, this one consists of a white-headed species (the African fish eagle) and a tan-headed one (Madagascar fish eagle). These are an ancient lineage of sea eagles; like other sea eagles, they have dark talons, beaks, and eyes. Both species have at least partially... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of African Fish-Eagle in Lake Manyara National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Lake Manyara National Park
White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Bateleur
Terathopius ecaudatus
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
Augur Buzzard
Buteo augur
Palmnut Vulture
Gypohierax angolensis
Brown Snake Eagle
Circaetus cinereus
Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
African Hawk-Eagle
Aquila spilogaster
Crowned Eagle
Stephanoaetus coronatus
Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Black-breasted Snake Eagle
Circaetus pectoralis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a African Fish-Eagle in Lake Manyara National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a African Fish-Eagle sighting in Lake Manyara National Park, based on 139 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see African Fish-Eagle in Lake Manyara National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for African Fish-Eagle in Lake Manyara National Park in our monthly data.