Basic behavior:

- African fish eagles are large, powerful birds that are one of the avian apex predators in the ecosystem. Their large size allows them to hunt a wide variety of prey species and they specialize particularly as fishers, as their name points out, but also small mammals, water birds, and reptiles. Fish eagles will spend much of their days perched in tall trees that overlook water sources within their territories and surveying the area. These eagles exhibit a behavior called kleptoparasitism, which translates to them stealing from many competitors such as Goliath Herons, Marabou storks, or other fish eagles. They are primarily diurnal, being active at day while safely resting on treetops at night away from potential predators such as leopards or crocodiles, and preening themselves at dawn before taking flight again.

- Fish eagles are not outwardly social birds. and only exhibit one type of social structure:

Mated pairs will hold sizable territories that encompass large bodies of water, such as a stretch of river or a marsh, and will share catches. They will broadcast their presence in these territories with loud vocalizations, and viciously defend them from other fish eagles that encroach within. Immature eagles are often pushed out of prime shoreline territories, and end up making territories that encompass grasslands. During times of immense food concentration or extreme scarcity, many fish eagles may gather together in a single area. Immature eagles are more prone to these mass gatherings than adults.

A pair of fish eagles will court in spectacular ways. Both eagles will perform aerial dives, swooping, and calling while they court. They may also lock talons and perform a whirling dive to finish it. Mated pairs can also frequently be heard dueting. Fish eagles are monogamous and mate for life. Breeding and nesting can occur in most months for fish eagles but is more common in the dry season. Pairs build nests in tall acacia trees and will aid each other in the building of the rather large nest. A pair usually uses the same nest year after year. African fish eagles are devoted parents and will diligently defend their eggs and chicks from most predators, even ones as large as a baboon

- As their name implies, African fish eagles are primarily fish hunters. They fish by perching in a tree overlooking a body of water. When they spot a fish near the surface, the eagle swoops down and snatches the catch up from the surface of the water, taking it back to its perch to eat its catch. Heavier fish may simply be dragged across the water to the bank and eaten there. While they will usually fish, these eagles may also hunt waterbirds or even frogs and reptiles if the chance presents itself. Fish eagles that live near alkaline lakes may hunt flamingos by swooping into the flock, separating an individual from the flock. In extremely desperate times, fish eagles may hunt for terrestrial prey, such as hyraxes and monkeys, or feed on carrion. Hunting and scavenging terrestrial prey are more often observed in immature eagles, as they have yet to hone their fishing skills.

- Fish eagles are rarely hesitant to take advantage of competition. If an opportunity arises, they will steal fish from storks, herons, egrets, and even pelicans. They often wait till the fisher in question has dropped it’s catch or when it’s not paying attention, then swooping in and surprising the victim to make it let go of the fish. Some fishers (particularly marabou storks) may try to steal a fish eagle’s catch if it is eaten on firm ground, though the fish eagle usually defends itself well in these situations. They may also fight other fish eagles for their catch. Immature fish eagles sometimes will band together in pairs or trios and overwhelm lone adults to make them give up their catch.

 - While they usually ignore any animal that isn’t prey or competition, fish eagles can be feisty. Mated pairs will antagonize or even outright attack any potential threat that shows interest in their nest. At large congregations of large animals near water holes or riversides or marshes, fish eagles on the ground will retaliate if their personal space is invaded, even defending themselves from animals as large as buffalo. Though, if the animal is a large predator such as a leopard or hyena or crocodile, the fish eagle will always move away or take flight if the danger is sufficient enough.