Madagascar Fish-eagle
Haliaeetus vociferoides
Overview
The Madagascar fish eagle or Madagascar sea-eagle, is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. It is endemic to the coastal strip in the northwest of Madagascar. It is about 63 cm (25 in) long and has a pale brown head, dark brown body and white tail.
The Madagascar fish eagle has been suffering from a declining population and is threatened by habitat destruction and persecution, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "critically endangered".
The Madagascar Fish Eagle faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction along Madagascar's freshwater systems, where wetland conversion for rice cultivation and human settlement has eliminated critical nesting and foraging areas. Competition with introduced fish species and overfishing by local communities has drastically reduced prey availability, while the species' extremely small population size makes it vulnerable to stochastic events and genetic bottlenecks.
Habitat
The Madagascar Fish Eagle inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal wetlands throughout Madagascar, preferring areas with large trees for nesting near productive fishing waters. The species requires undisturbed shoreline vegetation and abundant fish populations, making it highly dependent on intact aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in ACCIPITRIDAE
Threatened in Madagascar
Frequently asked questions
Why is Madagascar Fish-eagle classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Madagascar Fish-eagle live?
What are the main threats to Madagascar Fish-eagle?
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