Just beyond, perched on a rock jutting up from the water near the shore, sits still another feathered benefactor of the rich algae supply: the African fish eagle.

“There are no fish in this alkaline lake,” explains Paul. “So why do you think the eagles are here?” he asks. The answer comes flying over​—another fish eagle carrying a flamingo clutched in its sharp talons! Now I understand why these pink beauties keep a safe distance from those perched predators!

The fish eagle is easily identifiable from a distance. Its pure white head, back, chest, and tail contrast sharply with its chestnut abdomen and black wings. When found at alkaline lakes where there are no fish, the eagle feeds almost exclusively on flamingos, a pair of eagles killing one every two or three days. In freshwater lakes, however, the fish eagle truly is a fisheater. Imagine, though, walking along the shore of an African freshwater lake and having a fish dinner drop from the sky in front of you! Impossible? Not at all. This white-​headed fisherman has slippery talons and is known for dropping its fish catch​—to the delight of local residents!

Nevertheless, the fish eagle is a distinguished flier, putting on stunning displays of aerial acrobatics. A pair may soar at 200 feet [60 m] and then abruptly clutch each other’s talons. With wings held out stiffly, they will go into an exciting spin, which ends only 30 feet [9 m] above the water! Pulling out of the spin, they resume soaring, catching the rising thermals.

Fish eagles