Crowned Eagles / Kroonarende
Noticeable this year has been a reduced presence of the
adult pair in the area around the nest. However, if previous
behavioral patterns are going to be followed, the adults
should start refurbishing the nest quite soon for the new
breeding season. Yet, we must be mindful of the fact that
nothing goes on forever and each succeeding year of their
lifespan is couched in hope rather than certainty.
Die San Lameer Kroonarendpaar het die afgelope 7 jaar, 5
kuikens suksesvol grootgemaak. Die huidige jongeling is nou
30 weke oud. Sy het verander in een van die asemrowendse
voorbeelde van die spesie wat die nes al geproduseer het.
Ons verwag dat sy die einde van Mei die gebied sal verlaat
om haar eie habitat te vestig en 'n maat te vind.
The juvenile female posing near the nest and calling for the adults to bring her food.
In the past 7 years the San Lameer Crowned Eagle pair has
successfully reared 5 chicks. The current juvenile is now 30
weeks old. She has turned into one of the most magnificent
specimens of the species that the nest has produced. We
expect she will leave the area by the end of May to establish
her own habitat and find a mate.
Despite some extremely challenging weather patterns and an
apparent dearth in visible numbers of dassies and monkeys (her
principal diet) on the estate, she has survived. It appears that
the adults have drastically cut back on supplying her with food
and she seems to be learning to hunt for herself somewhat
earlier than her predecessors were inclined to do.
Ten spyte van 'n paar uiters uitdagende weerpatrone en 'n
oënskynlike gebrek aan sigbare getalle dassies en ape (haar
hoofdieët) op die landgoed, het sy oorleef. Dit blyk dat die
volwassenes drasties verminder het om haar met kos te
voorsien en dit lyk asof sy leer om 'n bietjie vroeër te jag as
wat haar voorgangers geneig was om te doen.
Opmerklik vanjaar is 'n verminderde teenwoordigheid van die
volwasse paar in die omgewing rondom die nes. As ouer
gedragspatrone gevolg word, moet die volwassenes egter
binnekort vir die nuwe broeiseisoen die nes weer opknap. Tog
moet ons in gedagte hou dat niks vir ewig aanhou nie en elke
daaropvolgende jaar van hul lewensduur is eerder in die hoop
as in sekerheid.
Written piece and photographs:
Jacques Sellschop
In surveillance mode she scans the
bush for any sign of movement that
might indicate viable prey.
Having seen something, she
launches herself into attack mode.
These two images were taken over a
distance of nearly 400 metres as
she appeared to be hunting just
below the admin block on the estate.
Preparing to lift off into flight on her magnificent 1.8 metre wingspan.