Black Eagle fledgling spreads its wings
POORTVIEW – Young fledgling Jono spreads his wings, leaving the safety of his nest and the botanical gardens behind.
On 10 September and about 90 days old, the young eagle fledgling called Jono spread his wings and left his nest for the first time.
This, according to spokesperson at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Ronny Tshabalala.
The Black Eagle pair constructed their nest on top of the picturesque Witpoortjie Waterfall in the ’80s before the gardens opened their gates for the first time.
“The pair have witnessed all of the changes that have been happening over the years at the park. To date, 30 broods have been produced by the pair and we got worried last year when the pair had an unsuccessful breeding season,” Tshabalala informed.
He said the Black Eagle Project explained that one egg had a hole in it while the second one had a strange colour.
“This caused concerns that the pair may have reached the end of their breeding cycle.”
Tshabalala added that the workers at the botanical gardens were surprised when another brood resulted in a healthy chick (Jono).
He said, “We are now sure that Jono is a male as they fledge a little earlier than females, who are heavier and they take longer to fledge. But having said this, it is also a few days earlier than normal as the male fledglings usually take 92 to 95 days until they leave the nest.”
Tshabalala concluded and said, “Jono won’t come back to his nest and if he does, his parents will chase him away as he has to go his own way now.”
