Immature African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer, photographed at Mikumi National park, Tanzania, Africa.
Image: Dan Logen, 18 January 2010 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/640 sec
Question: This lovely African mystery bird gets its scientific name from a behaviour that it is widely noted for. Can you identify this species?
Response: This is an immature African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer. This species is fairly common throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Haliaeetus translates as "fish eagle" and its specific name, vocifer, is in honour of this species' distinctive and evocative call -- a call that the bird often makes. Even though these birds are fish eagles, they are versatile predators and will hunt down birds and mammals in addition to fish. Like many of its fellow Haliaeetus, the African fish eagle is also a skilled kleptomaniac and is known to steal prey from other animals.
You are invited to review all of the daily mystery birds by going to their dedicated graphic index page.
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