Why it represents the country
An African fish eagle flies across the national flag of Zambia. The flag, adopted when the country became independent on 24 October 1964, is green with an orange eagle in flight above a block of red, black and orange stripes. The eagle is said to stand for freedom and for the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.
The same eagle appears above the shield on Zambia's coat of arms, also adopted in 1964. There it spreads its wings over a crossed hoe and pickaxe, which stand for farming and mining. The shield below shows white wavy lines on black, a picture of the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, from which Zambia takes its name. The motto reads One Zambia, One Nation.
The fish eagle is a natural choice for a country shaped by water. Zambia is crossed by great rivers such as the Zambezi, the Kafue and the Luangwa, and it has large lakes and wetlands, all good places for fish eagles. Because the bird appears on both the flag and the coat of arms, it is widely regarded as the national bird.
About the animal
The African fish eagle is a large, handsome bird of prey. Adults have a pure white head, neck, chest and tail, a rich chestnut-brown body and black wings. The face and feet are yellow. Its wingspan can reach about 2 meters, and females are about 10 to 15 percent larger than males. Young birds look quite different: they are mostly brown, with white patches scattered through their feathers.
As its name suggests, it eats mainly fish. It usually watches from a perch near the water, then swoops down and snatches a fish near the surface with its sharp talons. It can easily lift fish of up to about 2 kilograms, and heavier catches are often dragged across the water to shore. Fishing takes up surprisingly little time, often less than 10 minutes a day. Fish eagles also steal food from other birds and sometimes catch waterbirds, including flamingos.
The fish eagle's call is famous. Throwing its head back, it gives a loud, far-carrying cry that sounds something like weeah kyow-kow-kow. Pairs often call together in a duet, especially at the start of the breeding season, which helps keep the pair together. In courtship, a pair may even lock talons and tumble through the air.
Pairs usually mate for life and hold a territory along a stretch of shoreline. They build large stick nests in tall trees near water. The female usually lays two eggs, and she does most of the incubating while the male does most of the hunting. The chicks hatch after about six weeks and leave the nest at around 10 weeks old. Often only one chick survives.
Conservation
The African fish eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is common and widespread across sub-Saharan Africa wherever there is open water with enough fish, and its total population has been estimated at around 300,000 birds.
Because it sits at the top of the food chain in rivers and lakes, the fish eagle is a useful sign of the health of the water. Fewer fish, changes to water plants and the loss of tall trees near the shore can all affect it. Pesticides and other chemicals can build up in the fish it eats, and in some areas this may cause eggshells to become thin.
Keeping Zambia's rivers, lakes and wetlands clean and full of fish protects the fish eagle and the many people who depend on the same waters. National parks and wetland areas along rivers such as the Kafue and the Luangwa give fish eagles safe places to nest and hunt.
Where to see the African fish eagle in the wild
Wild African fish eagles in Zambia live year-round along the country's rivers, lakes and reservoirs, wherever there is open fresh water with fish.
Watch wild animals from a distance, never feed them, and follow the rules and rangers of each protected area.
Fun facts
- African fish eagles often spend less than 10 minutes a day actually fishing.
- Only about one in seven or eight fishing attempts by an African fish eagle ends in a catch.
- The eagle and stripes on Zambia's flag sit on the side away from the flagpole, which is unusual for a national flag.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national bird of Zambia?
The national bird of Zambia is the African fish eagle (a widely recognized national symbol, not set by law). The African fish eagle is a large bird of prey with a white head and chest, a chestnut-brown body and a famous ringing call, and it flies across Zambia's flag and spreads its wings above the shield on the coat of arms.
Which country has the African fish eagle as its national bird?
The African fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. The African fish eagle is also known as African sea eagle.
Why is the African fish eagle the national bird of Zambia?
An African fish eagle has flown on Zambia's flag since independence on 24 October 1964, where it is said to stand for freedom and the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems, and the same eagle appears on the coat of arms adopted that year. Because the bird is on both the flag and the coat of arms, it is widely regarded as the national bird, a natural choice for a country of great rivers, lakes and wetlands.
Is the African fish eagle endangered?
The African fish eagle is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, and its total population has been estimated at around 300,000 birds. Fewer fish, the loss of tall trees near the shore and pesticides building up in the fish it eats can all affect it.
Where does the African fish eagle live?
Rivers, lakes, floodplains and swamps across sub-Saharan Africa.
Where can you see the African fish eagle in the wild?
Wild African fish eagles in Zambia live year-round along the country's rivers, lakes and reservoirs, wherever there is open fresh water with fish.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. African fish eagle.
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan. Haliaeetus vocifer: African fish eagle.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Haliaeetus vocifer (assessment 2020).
- BirdLife International DataZone – African Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer species factsheet.
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
