Least Concern

African Fish Eagle

Icthyophaga vocifer

Least Concern

IUCN Red List status · Population stable as of 2023

About the African Fish Eagle

The African fish eagle is the national bird of four African countries and is considered the "voice of Africa" for its haunting call. An apex aerial predator, it plucks fish from water with its powerful talons and is an indicator species for freshwater ecosystem health.

Region

East Africa

Population

Unknown

Trend

Stable

Data Year

2023

Key Facts

WingspanUp to 2 m

Dive speedUp to 70 km/h

National birdZambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi & S. Sudan

Lifespan24 years

Threats to Survival

Water pollution

Pesticides and heavy metals bioaccumulate in fish, poisoning eagles through the food chain.

Wetland loss

Drainage of wetlands and lakes for agriculture reduces fish eagle nesting and hunting sites.

Ecosystem Role

🐟

Ecosystem indicator

Fish eagle population health directly mirrors freshwater fish stock levels and lake pollution — a living barometer of Africa's lakes.

Habitat Types

LakesRiversWetlandsReservoirs

Found In

KenyaTanzaniaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe

Why Africa's Wildlife Matters

Africa's megafauna are not just iconic — they are ecosystem engineers. The loss of a single keystone species can trigger cascading collapses across entire biomes. Elephants create waterholes, lions regulate prey, and predators maintain the biodiversity that keeps Africa's grasslands and forests functioning.

20%

of Earth's bird species in Africa

25%

of mammals found in Africa

3,000+

endemic plant species at risk

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