# Flying Fishermen (DD-272)

> Bald eagles and African fish eagles are celebrated as fishers and national emblems, but both also take food by kleptoparasitism, stealing catches from other birds. The bald eagle's comeback from near-disappearance in the contiguous United States is one of the best-known conservation recoveries.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-07-16
- Last updated: 2024-07-16
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/flying-fishermen/
- Original Reel title: Flying Fishermen 🦅
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-272-F01**: Bald eagles and African fish eagles catch fish. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Thieves by habit))_
- **DD-272-F02**: They spot fish from high above. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Thieves by habit))_

## Write-up

The image of the eagle as a lone, noble hunter is only half true: the two fish-eating species best known for spectacular dives are also habitual thieves.

1. **Thieves by habit**: Bald eagles get much of their food as carrion or by kleptoparasitism, stealing prey from other predators, and African fish eagles are also known to steal other birds' catches.
2. **Record-breaking nests**: The bald eagle builds the largest nest of any North American bird, with recorded nests up to 4 m deep, 2.5 m wide and about 1 metric ton in weight.
3. **Back from the brink**: Bald eagles were close to extirpation in the contiguous United States in the late 20th century, and bans on hunting them and on the pesticide DDT helped the population recover.
4. **National emblems**: The African fish eagle is the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the bald eagle is the national bird of the United States.

## Related case files

- [Eagles (DD-124)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/eagles/): I linked more eagles
- [Flying Fishermen III (DD-629)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/flying-fishermen-iii/): I linked the next part of the Flying Fishermen series
- [Flying Fishermen II (DD-534)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/flying-fishermen-ii/): I linked the first in this series

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: The Reel says 'African eagle'; the fish-eating species is the African fish eagle.
- **Note**: The Reel says success can be as high as 90%; I could not verify that figure.

## Video: Flying Fishermen: Eagles Can Spot Fish From High Above the Water

- Duration: 25.2 s · Published: 2024-07-16
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C9gcDfCp-Gw.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, eagles are exceptional fishers, particularly species like the bald eagle and the African eagle. With their keen eyesight, they can spot fish from high above the water. Once a target is identified, they dive at incredible speeds, extending their sharp talons to snatch the fish from the water. Their powerful grip ensures the fish can't escape. Even if a fish is too heavy to carry, eagles have been seen swimming to shore with their catch. Their fishing success rate can be as high as 90%, showcasing their remarkable hunting prowess and adaptability. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which eagle is in the footage?**  
A: White head. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Record-breaking nests) · Wikipedia: Bald eagle; Wikipedia: African fish eagle)_

**Q: Which African eagle fishes?**  
A: Haliaeetus vocifer. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (National emblems) · Wikipedia: Bald eagle)_

**Q: What do they grab fish with?**  
A: Sharp claws. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Thieves by habit) · Wikipedia: Bald eagle)_

**Q: What if the fish is too heavy?**  
A: Rowing with wings. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Record-breaking nests) · Wikipedia: Bald eagle)_

**Q: How do they find fish?**  
A: From high above. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Thieves by habit) · Wikipedia: Bald eagle)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Bald eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle)
- [Wikipedia: African fish eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_fish_eagle)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Flying Fishermen." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-272, last updated Jul 16, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/flying-fishermen/