As its name suggests, the African fish eagle eats mostly fish. It hunts by soaring above the river on its broad wings, watching the surface below with extraordinary eyesight. When it spots a fish near the surface, it dives feet-first, plunging its talons into the water to snatch the fish up, then flaps powerfully to lift clear. The whole catch takes less than a second.
Fish eagles have rough pads on the soles of their feet to help grip wet, slippery fish. They also have a special oil on their feathers that stops water soaking through when they dip into the river — a bit like a waterproof jacket built into their body. If a fish is too heavy to carry, the eagle will sometimes drag it across the water to shore rather than drop it.
African fish eagles pair for life and usually return to the same nest every year, adding new sticks until the nest is enormous — some are big enough for a child to sit in. Both parents share the job of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
In Gambia, fish eagles perch on tall trees and dead branches along the river. Birdwatchers from all over the world come to Gambia specifically because it has such excellent birding along the river, and the fish eagle is one of the most celebrated sights. Spotting one diving for a fish is considered a highlight of any river trip.