South African Black Eagle ~ 2018-2022

[nightowl]

Update for 2022 - the cam is back! - CLICK HERE


Originally, this nest was occupied by the male, Thulane (the shy one) and the female, Emoyeni (upon the wind). Emoyeni is estimated to be between 35-40 years old and sometime in July or early August, 2016, another eagle joined them, then Emoyeni disappeared. The new eagle became Thulane's new mate. She was named Makatsa, meaning unexpected surprise. Read more here:

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
OR
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA - Q & A

Africam.com, in partnership with the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans, will again be watching as Thulane (aprox. 23 years old) and Makatsa (aprox. 4 years old) prepare for the upcoming nesting season - 2018.
https://www.africam.com
https://www.blackeagles.co.za

Click HERE for the CAM

OR HERE (includes a brief history and photos showing placement of the camera)

The time there is GMT (UTC)
This year we have made major upgrades including a new camera, night vision and sound.
The time in Johannesburg has been put above the cam - for easy reference!

Be aware that these birds practise Cainism - or Siblicide!
Excellent Article to be found HERE

Join the Africam Twitter Alert and get up to the minute real time alerts - www.twitter.com/africam will alert you when the eggs start hatching so you don’t miss the hatchings LIVE
For more information on the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans go to www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject

This pair laid two eggs in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. In 2013, the pair laid 2 eggs, but they were not viable. Then 3 months later, a second clutch consisting of one egg was laid.
(Link to the 2010 thread.)
(Link to the 2011 thread)
(Link to the 2012 thread)
(Link to the 2013 thread)
(Link to the 2014 thread)
(Link to the 2015 thread)

2018 Timeline

• Cam On:
• eggs laid: First egg~May 4, 2018
• hatched:
• Cainism:
• fledged: September 20, 2018
• Last seen in natal territory:

[nightowl]

The Black Eagle Cam is situated in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The camera is a joint project supported by a number of sponsors including Africam.
The project's aims are to create awareness and support for the Black Eagle Project, which was set up in 1998 as an affiliate to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden and was registered as an independent, Section 21, non-profit organization.
The project consists of a 7 member committee and approximately 30 dedicated volunteer members.
What is so significant about this project is that these eagles are the last of a once much larger population that inhabited the mountain ridges of Johannesburg. Due to the expansion of the city of Johannesburg their habitat and food source has come under threat.
This specific nesting site has been documented as far back as the early 1940’s and it is estimated that the original mating pair were the third or fourth descendants from the first documented nesting pair.

[nightowl]

The Black Eagle is the finest of the genus Aquilla - a truly magnificent coal black bird with a white back and V on the shoulders.
The handsome plumage is enhanced by consummate grace in flight ... When perched, the small head and tapering neck gives the eagle an almost regal appearance.
The juvenile Black Eagle, unlike the adult, is cryptically coloured and its plumage blends with broken rock, bush and trees of the surroundings.
Feathered nestlings and juveniles are mottled brown, with a pale gold crown and nape, russet - brown mantle and neck, black cheeks and throat, cream forehead variously flecked with brown; the feathered legs, cream with light brown flecks; cere and toes, creamy yellow; bill grey, darker at tip; eye brown.
Rump feathers are cream, edged brown; tail and flight feathers barred light and dark brown and with light fawn tips.
In flight the young eagle shows the emerging pattern of ‘windows’ in the wing, the characteristic but less pronounced leaf - shaped wing and an indistinctly margined light rump.

There is some excellent information on these eagles - their history - their nest and where the cam is at Hedgiesjoy Blogspot

[nightowl]

Some photos of the Black Eagles. Click bigger

Black Eagle foot by Ernest Porter.jpg (32.02 KiB) Viewed 13557 times

© Ernest Porter Used with permission

[nightowl]

Makatsa on the left, Thulane on the right. Notice the size difference? Click bigger

© Ernest Porter Used with permission

Black Eagle size chart by Africam.jpg (51.73 KiB) Viewed 13557 times

© Africam

[nightowl]

The Black Eagle, both male and female, has what looks like a white angel on their backs. Here's a photo of one with a pesky Pied Crow. Click bigger

© Ernest Porter Used with permission

[nightowl]

Reserved

[nightowl]

Reserved

[JudiW]

Nestmates lovers of the Black Eagles I bookmarked this page and also will link the cam if I can

bb after I view the cam and see thr Black Eagles....its getting close to their time for laying

[nightowl]

Hi Judy!

The link for the camera is in the first post. Try the third link cause I'm not sure the other 2 work right now.

[JudiW]

Nestles or lovers of the Black eagles

New Black Eagle female Makatsa sitting on nest....male is Thulane

taken March 17 2018 by Black /Eagle cam Admin

[nightowl]

Thanks for the s'caps Judi!

I found this video of Thulane and Emoyeni with Jono (2014) by Ernest Porter and thought people might enjoy it.

Black Eagle Agression

[JudiW]

Nestmates and Lovers of these Black Eagles

Female sitting on cliff nest

Thulane on side of cliff

[nightowl]

Thanks for the s'caps Judi!

The new females name is Makatsa, which means unexpected surprise.

[nightowl]

This explains why I can never get the cam...it always says "offline" when I try it.

This posted on FB by Black Eagle Project Roodekrans:

"Hi All Webcam Watchers,
We are all very excited that the Eagles seem to be refurbishing the old nest which is visible on the web-cam. However, we would like to inform you that we are experiencing very cloudy conditions at the moment with lots of rain, for which we are very grateful. This means that the solar panels are not producing enough power to run the camera. The present prediction is for another three days of very little sunshine, so please bear with us."