SUPER SURPRISE # 9

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 9

Everyone put your hands over your eyes! Ok? You ready? Open your eyes and Surprise!! We have a spectacular bird for Super Surprise Thursday! Let’s not delay and meet this bird!

MEET THE AFRICAN FISH EAGLE!

Range/Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa/lakes, rivers, grasslands, swamps

Diet: Carnivore: fish, some water fowl and small mammals

Length/Weight: 25-29”/4 ½ -8 lbs

Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• African Fish Eagles are also known as the African Sea Eagle.
• They are related to the majestic Bald Eagle.
• African fish eagles swoop down and catch feet with talons. Their talons (or feet) have special spiricules on them to help them grip slippery and wet fish.
• Female African fish eagles are larger than the males.
• They are the national bird of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
• African fish eagles mate for life.
• Their loud cry is known as the “voice of Africa”.

These regal looking relatives of the Bald Eagle are pretty awesome! They’re so awesome that they are the national bird of not one but two countries! And who wouldn’t want to be the national animal of two countries?

Listen to their awesome call:

http://www.bushcampcompany.com/DIDYOUKNOW_ww/2010/mp3/Fish%20eagle.mp3