Survival of the fittest
Last month, (April 2009), the Verreaux’s (Black) Eagles laid two eggs after collecting sticks and leafy branches in preparation for their breeding season. They are resident in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa.
The female performs most of the incubation for a period of 45 days after which a completely white chick hatches. The second chick hatches 4 days later and, once again, the so-called “Cain and Abel” struggle will commence in which Cain (the elder chick) kills Abel over a period of 3-4 days.
For the first few weeks the chick is fed and nurtured almost exclusively by the female with food that is brought in by the male. As the chick grows it can be left unattended for longer periods and both parents hunt.
For more information on these birds visit the Black Eagle Project.
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