Famous Black Eagles Return Home After Years Now Hatch Chick

A couple of weeks ago, we reported that the famous pair of Verreaux’s eagles, Makatsa and Mahlori, had returned to their old nesting site at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in South Africa after years of absence. They were documented in the process of rebuilding their old cliffside nest and it was reported that at least one egg had been laid during the process, which marked the start of a very excticing breeding season.

Content by Naomi Corinaldi

This season, only one egg was confirmed in the nest of Makatsa and Mahlori. Usually, Verreaux’s eagles lay two eggs, but this time, a second egg never appeared, at least not one that anyone saw. The monitoring team, including local volunteers and the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans, kept a close eye from viewing points and scopes. They reported seeing the female incubating just a single egg, and no behaviour suggested there was a second.

Now, that doesn’t mean a second egg definitely wasn’t laid. In some cases, a second egg can be laid and lost quickly or might not be visible to observers, especially with the steep angle of the cliff nest. But there was no public confirmation of a second egg at any point, which is unusual for this pair.

For weeks, observers kept watching the nest for signs. On Friday, June 13, 2025, they noticed the female eagle doing something different: she was no longer just sitting on the egg; she was reaching down, tearing food, and offering it into the nest, which is classic feeding behaviour. That was the moment they suspected the egg had hatched.

Content by Naomi Corinaldi

Content by Naomi Corinaldi

Over the next few days, they continued to monitor closely. The same behaviour was repeated with food deliveries, protective posturing, and the parents taking turns. By June 17, they publicly confirmed that the chick had indeed hatched, even though it hadn’t been seen with the naked eye or caught on the remote nest camera (which doesn’t cover that part of the ledge). Their confirmation was based on years of experience, knowing exactly what eagle parents do in those first days post-hatch.

In the first 7 to 10 days after hatching, the chick stays low in the nest, mostly hidden under the mother’s body and surrounded by the edge of the cliff structure. But as it starts to grow stronger and lift its head for food more actively, it becomes visible to watchers with long lenses and scopes stationed at known viewing points around the Walter Sisulu Gardens.

The Black Eagle Project Roodekrans and photographers like David Whyte or dedicated volunteers, like Naomi and Vivian, from past seasons, are usually the first to catch those early images. In past years, those “first sighting” photos often show up within 10–14 days after hatching, sometimes posted straight to the project’s Facebook page or in updates shared through local conservation groups. If the chick hatched around June 13, then a first photo could drop any day now, maybe even this weekend.

Even though they are known as black eagles, when Verreaux’s eagle chicks hatch, they look like tiny, white fluff balls, soft and almost ghostly against the rough nest.

They’re completely covered in white down feathers, with closed eyes and barely enough strength to lift their heads. At that stage, they can’t regulate their body temperature well, so the mother keeps them warm by brooding over them like a protective dome.

Over the next two weeks, the chick gradually opens its eyes, begins reacting more to movement, and its body starts to stretch out a little. That’s when watchers catch those first classic shots: a little white ball lifting its head to beg for food, while one of the adults tears up prey nearby. By around 3 weeks old, darker feathers start creeping in under the down.

Throwback to Post of Previous Chick

These are truly exciting times for bird enthusiasts, especially those who’ve followed the Roodekrans eagles for years. With Makatsa and Mahlori as parents, this chick has a very strong chance of survival.

Both adults are experienced, proven breeders. Makatsa has successfully raised chicks before, even during tough years, and Mahlori, though a slightly newer partner, has stepped up as a reliable provider and protector. Observers have consistently noted his sharp hunting skills and his attentiveness at the nest.

The nest site itself, high on the cliffs in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, offers good natural protection from predators and human interference. Add to that the close, respectful monitoring from the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans, and you’ve got an environment where this chick is starting life with every possible advantage.

Of course, nothing in nature is guaranteed. There are threats like harsh weather or injury that are always present, but this season has started well, and if conditions hold, there’s every reason to believe this chick could fledge successfully in about three months.