Fish Eagle Family in Zinkwazi

Since it's Mythbusters Week and we're all about learning new things, here's a fun fact about the little village that surrounds Sugar Bay: Zinkwazi Beach is named after the Zulu word iNkwazi, which means Fish Eagle. And for good reason too. We're lucky enough to share our tropical paradise with many of these majestic creatures and are excited to report that there's a new addition to the family! And not only that, but our resident Fish Eagles have been seen teaching their young chick to fish in the lagoon!

Sugar Bay's Project Manager Charl often fishes from the lagoon launching site and was lucky enough to make the sighting.

 

On the shore opposite the launching site is an old dead tree that hangs over the water, known to all at Sugar Bay as the Wishing Tree. And it seems the eagles have claimed this as their favourite spot to spy their next meal. In fact, Charl has often found himself competing with the pair for the rights to the bream and perch that populate the lagoon waters. 

On one such fishing-expedition, Charl watched as both adults flew in and sat in a tree less than 30m away from him. And then a beautiful mottled adolescent arrived, just in time for what was soon to be revealed as the first lesson in Feeding-Yourself-101. Just then, one parent swooped down as if to catch lunch but, just before making the plunge, he skimmed over the surface, trailing his talons through the water. And then the second adult did the same as if to say “See son, this is how it's done!” The baby eventually caught on but unfortunately that was all he caught.

Don’t worry, Junior, you’ll get it right soon!

We think our Fish Eagles have got it made here in Zinkwazi: not only do they have beautiful hunting grounds, but sometimes they get lucky and have their food pretty much delivered to them!

Charl told us of another time he went deep-sea fishing with a friend and managed to reel in a bright yellow fish (he can't remember what kind). As it was undersize the fish was released, but just bobbed near the surface and wouldn’t dive down. Concerned, the men hung around waiting for the little guy to make good on his escape but eventually gave up. Just as they started to leave, one of the crafty fish eagles swooped in and carried the fish away – talk about an opportunist! Although we're all about table manners here at Sugar Bay and think the sneaky eagle could have at least said "Thank You", we know that we're privileged to be able to hear their beautiful cries, and that is thank you enough.

We'll be sure to keep you updated on any new sightings of the Fish Eagle family and would love to hear your stories if you've managed to spot them during your time at Sugar Bay. 

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