South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2024
Moderator: South African TA's
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2020
Summary of the 2020 nesting season
Information courtesy of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject
Because of covid-19 restrictions and precautions, some dates are more approximate than usual. Makatsa and her new mate Mahlori produced at least one egg, probably around April 18-19, and there was at least one chick who likely hatched around June 2-3. The eaglet was named Motsumi, which means "The Hunter" in Sesotho, and fledged on August 31st.
As of November 12, Motsumi is still being seen in the territory, with the adults delivering food. Fledglings are usually dependent on the adults for about 3 months, so he or she may leave the area (or be chased out) in late November or early December - which would be earlier than in 2017 and 2018, when the fledge was late September, and the juvenile left the area December 23.
Information courtesy of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject
Because of covid-19 restrictions and precautions, some dates are more approximate than usual. Makatsa and her new mate Mahlori produced at least one egg, probably around April 18-19, and there was at least one chick who likely hatched around June 2-3. The eaglet was named Motsumi, which means "The Hunter" in Sesotho, and fledged on August 31st.
As of November 12, Motsumi is still being seen in the territory, with the adults delivering food. Fledglings are usually dependent on the adults for about 3 months, so he or she may leave the area (or be chased out) in late November or early December - which would be earlier than in 2017 and 2018, when the fledge was late September, and the juvenile left the area December 23.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Summary of the 2021 nesting season
Information courtesy of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject
There was no camera for the 2021 nesting season, so dates are approximate. As is usually the case with these eagles, Mahlori (M) and Makatsa (F) produced two eggs, around April 21 and April 25. The first egg hatched on or shortly before June 9, and the second one hatched June 10. As is normal with these eagles, the older one killed the younger shortly after it hatched.
The remaining eaglet thrived, and fledged successfully on September 13, 2021. There was a naming contest, and the young eagle was named Amari, which means possesses great strength. Fledglings normally stay with the parents, being fed and learning to hunt, for about three months, after which the parents will chase them out of the territory. Amari was last seen on December 26, 2021, almost 3-1/2 months after his or her first flight.
Information courtesy of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject
There was no camera for the 2021 nesting season, so dates are approximate. As is usually the case with these eagles, Mahlori (M) and Makatsa (F) produced two eggs, around April 21 and April 25. The first egg hatched on or shortly before June 9, and the second one hatched June 10. As is normal with these eagles, the older one killed the younger shortly after it hatched.
The remaining eaglet thrived, and fledged successfully on September 13, 2021. There was a naming contest, and the young eagle was named Amari, which means possesses great strength. Fledglings normally stay with the parents, being fed and learning to hunt, for about three months, after which the parents will chase them out of the territory. Amari was last seen on December 26, 2021, almost 3-1/2 months after his or her first flight.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
2022 Nesting Season Starts Here
Exciting news - a new camera has been installed so we can watch the eagles live again!
Link for cam: https://africam.com/wildlife/stream/black-eagle-live
2022 Timeline
According to reports posted by Black Eagle Project Roodekrans on their Facebook page, as of the first of March, the eagles are beginning to do some work on their nest.
Here's a picture from the dvr/rollback feature of the cam showing one of the eagles on the nest where he or she was moving a couple of sticks.
Exciting news - a new camera has been installed so we can watch the eagles live again!
Link for cam: https://africam.com/wildlife/stream/black-eagle-live
2022 Timeline
- Cam On: February 28
- eggs laid: about April 14 and April 17
- hatched: about May 24 and May 27
- Cainism: younger eaglet dies as expected
- fledged: Aug 28, 7:09 am, 96 days
- Last seen in natal territory: photos of juvenile ~Nov 20; reported as not seen - Dec 4
According to reports posted by Black Eagle Project Roodekrans on their Facebook page, as of the first of March, the eagles are beginning to do some work on their nest.
Here's a picture from the dvr/rollback feature of the cam showing one of the eagles on the nest where he or she was moving a couple of sticks.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Judy, there was a fair bit of activity at the nest today ... including what looked like mating (not in this screenshot)!
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Just noticed this - thanks, Sue!
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
I just checked in after a month and a half away. There's a chick in the nest (two little eyes visible to our right of the parent)!
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
I just saw this update, which was posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 28:
Breaking a News. Hi everyone. Thought I’d just inform you that our Juvenile V. Black Eagle fledged this morning at at 96 days old. After a lot of hopping from one rocky ledge to the next, he/she took off at approximately 07.09 this morning in an icy cold wind. As soon as I receive the photos/videos I’ll post them. Stand by.
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Wonderful news - thanks, Sue! Do you know if the fledgling has a name? I've been busy elsewhere this year so haven't checked in there very often.SueD wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 12:22 pmI just saw this update, which was posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 28:
Breaking a News. Hi everyone. Thought I’d just inform you that our Juvenile V. Black Eagle fledged this morning at at 96 days old. After a lot of hopping from one rocky ledge to the next, he/she took off at approximately 07.09 this morning in an icy cold wind. As soon as I receive the photos/videos I’ll post them. Stand by.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
I checked the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject. Lots of great photos there! As of today they're still referring to the fledgling as "juvenile" (no given name). The parents are Makatsa and Mahlori.JudyB wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:48 pmWonderful news - thanks, Sue! Do you know if the fledgling has a name? I've been busy elsewhere this year so haven't checked in there very often.SueD wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 12:22 pmI just saw this update, which was posted on Facebook on Sunday, August 28:
Breaking a News. Hi everyone. Thought I’d just inform you that our Juvenile V. Black Eagle fledged this morning at at 96 days old. After a lot of hopping from one rocky ledge to the next, he/she took off at approximately 07.09 this morning in an icy cold wind. As soon as I receive the photos/videos I’ll post them. Stand by.
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Thanks, Sue! If I remember correctly, their fledglings stay nearby hunting with the adults for a couple of months, so they may be waiting a while before giving the young one a name.SueD wrote: ↑Thu Sep 22, 2022 8:55 am
I checked the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject. Lots of great photos there! As of today they're still referring to the fledgling as "juvenile" (no given name). The parents are Makatsa and Mahlori.
(And "hunting" might be a bit of a stretch - I suspect it's more like watching the adults hunt and then grabbing the food! )
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Hi, Judy! I checked the Facebook page again today and found this post from November 23:
So it looks like they won't be naming this, or any, juveniles from this nest. Here are the two photos they posted:“Naming of the Juvenile” - Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR) has aligned itself with the thinking of other Conservationists around the World in believing that an Animal/Bird from the “WILD” not be given a “pet” name. This V. Black Eagle Family is most certainly still wild. It is for that reason that our records will show, that this Juvenile will be known as the Juvenile of 2022, (Juve 2022). Below are two photos of the Juvenile taken by Buster Shipster over the weekend. All indications are that this Juvenile will be leaving within the next few weeks.
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
I'm just seeing this, Sue - sorry! I think the last month or so has been sort of busy.SueD wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 9:33 amHi, Judy! I checked the Facebook page again today and found this post from November 23:
So it looks like they won't be naming this, or any, juveniles from this nest. Here are the two photos they posted:“Naming of the Juvenile” - Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR) has aligned itself with the thinking of other Conservationists around the World in believing that an Animal/Bird from the “WILD” not be given a “pet” name. This V. Black Eagle Family is most certainly still wild. It is for that reason that our records will show, that this Juvenile will be known as the Juvenile of 2022, (Juve 2022). Below are two photos of the Juvenile taken by Buster Shipster over the weekend. All indications are that this Juvenile will be leaving within the next few weeks.
Great photos - the juvenile is definitely very handsome! And I can easily see both sides of the discussion about giving names to the wildlife we watch on cameras or locally. I am glad that they will continue to use names for the adults.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
Summary of 2023 Nesting Season
Exciting news - a new camera has been installed so we can watch the eagles live again!
2023 Timeline
Exciting news - a new camera has been installed so we can watch the eagles live again!
2023 Timeline
- Cam On:
- eggs laid: April 19, evening; April 23
- hatched: #1 didn't hatch; Jun 5, 43 days
- Cainism:
- fledged: September 9, afternoon, 96 days
- Last seen in natal territory:
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints
Re: South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022
2024 Nesting Season Starts Here
Link for cam: https://www.blackeagles.co.za/webcam/
2022 Timeline
According to reports posted by Black Eagle Project Roodekrans on their Facebook page, as of the first of March, the eagles are beginning to do some work on their nest.
Link for cam: https://www.blackeagles.co.za/webcam/
2022 Timeline
- Cam On:
- eggs laid: April 12
- hatched: likely May 25 (day 43); confirmed May 28, day 46
- Cainism:
- fledged: September 2, 100 days
- Last seen in natal territory:
According to reports posted by Black Eagle Project Roodekrans on their Facebook page, as of the first of March, the eagles are beginning to do some work on their nest.
2025 Eaglet Info ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Helpful Hints