Verreaux Black Eagles ~ Makatsa Feeds Her One Week Old Chick! ♥ 6.7.22

The female black eagle Makatsa feeds her young chick that hatched at the end of May. We can see the snow white head popping up now on the nest ♥ There was a second hatch as well but the chick died due to obligate siblicide also known as Cainism which occurs when the first hatched chick will kill its sibling. Fortunately we did not see this live. The first hatch chick is now growing quickly and thriving. The male (Mahlori) will bring in Hyrax or scrub hare often as a main food source, in addition to other small mammals or grouse. The Black Eagles like Golden Eagles, do not eat fish.

The Verreaux’s Eagle is mostly black with a very distinctive white V on its back, which is appropriate with its name. They have white feathers on the underside of their wings and at the base of their backs. Their coloring gives them a very distinctive look and they are easily recognizable. The male and female are very similar in color and the female is slightly larger than the male, which is typical of birds of prey. Males weigh on average between 6 to 10 pounds while females average 7 to 13 pounds. Although the Verreaux’s Eagle is not as large as the Martial Eagle, Africa’s largest eagle, they are still a formidable bird of prey. Thank you for watching!

Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk

Courtesy of Africam for the live stream cam on the Verreaux Black Eagles. Many thanks for this amazing experience!