Black Eagles are born white
Fortunately the Cain and Abel struggle did not ensue because only one of the two eggs hatched. So there is only a single chick that is in the nest and is doing well. Now that there is no sibling rivalry the lone chick will receive all the love, food, care and protection from the parents.
After fledging, the juvenile will then stay in the immediate vicinity of the Garden for three months where it shall learn most of its survival strategies from the adults.
When the Verreaux’s (Black) Eagles’ chicks hatch they are usually fluffy whitish, but when they grow up, their plumage change to black. It is an interesting element of these fascinating birds that only nature can explain.
The nestling remains in the nest for about 120 days, after which the parents chase it from the territory.
Why don’t you help us give the surviving chick a name?
E-mail your suggestions to info@sisulugarden.co.za
Areas where black eagles are found in Africa:
Email your suggestions to sisulugarden@sanbi.org
The Black Eagle is a fairly common resident and one of the most thoroughly researched eagles in Southern Africa. This magnificent species gets its scientific name from the 18th century naturalist Jules Verreaux, hence “Aquila verreauxii”.
Black Eagles are found at sea level from the Cape Province to the Drakensberg in Natal, to the Soutpansberg in the Northern Province and far beyond into the rock hills of southern Zimbabwe, Motobos Hills, where Cecil John Rhodes was laid to rest. The Motobos Hills is the home of the densest population of black eagles, this is the area where Val Gargett did her wondrous study of +/- 60 breeding pairs and wrote “The Black Eagle – A Study” well worth a read if you are passionate about raptors, especially black eagles.
The rugged or mountainous terrain with cliffs, rock ledges and caves is the preferred habitat of the black eagle. They occur in dry Savannah, woodland and even desert and high rainfall areas, wherever rocky outcrops, gorges or mountain ranges provide nesting sites and there is an abundance of prey.
For more information on these birds visit www.blackeagles.co.za
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