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Secretary Bird after heavy rains in the Nxai Pan NP, Botswana
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Secretary Bird / Sekretär (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Tarangire N.P. ,Tanzania, Africa
Portrait of a Secretary Bird… This large raptor, related to hawks and eagles, is a terrestrial bird of prey and endemic to the open grasslands of sub-saharan Africa. They fly only when necessary, such as to reach their nest in the trees and for courtship displays.
The secretarybird or secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region. John Frederick Miller described the species in 1779. Although a member of the order Accipitriformes, which also includes many other diurnal birds of prey such as kites, hawks, vultures, and harriers, it is placed in its own family, Sagittariidae.
The secretarybird is instantly recognizable as a very large bird with an eagle-like body on crane-like legs that give the bird a height of as much as 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in). The sexes are similar in appearance. Adults have a featherless red-orange face and predominantly grey plumage, with a flattened dark crest and black flight feathers and thighs.
Breeding can take place at any time of year, but tends to be late in the dry season. The nest is built at the top of a thorny tree, and a clutch of one to three eggs is laid. In years with plentiful food all three young can survive to fledgling. The secretarybird hunts and catches prey on the ground, often stomping on victims to kill them. Insects and small vertebrates make up its diet.
Although the secretarybird occurs over a large range, the results of localised surveys suggest that the total population is experiencing a rapid decline, probably as a result of habitat degradation. The species is therefore classed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa.
Secretarybird - Wikipedia
A secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) looking for foods at the Ndutu region, Southern Serengeti Plain.
Secretary Birds may be responsible for sending more handlers to hospital than any other captive bird species… approach with caution! Scientists in the UK have found that this bird can deliver precise and powerful kicks with a force five times its own body weight; enough to kill venomous snakes in less than the blink of an eye. The Secretary Bird stands over 4 ft.
Birds of prey are fascinating and majestic animals. They can generally be defined as birds that feed on animals that they catch alive. Representatives of these two orders can be found almost everywhere in the world. Although these groups are distantly related, the behavioural and anatomical characteristics they share appear to be mainly the result of parallel evolution.
Schlechter Tag – guter Tag. Stil ist alles.
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Said the secretary to the marabou. A matter of attitude. For me he looks a bit arrogant ;-)
The Marabou: flic.kr/p/2hB8RFF
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The secretary (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large species of birds of prey that inhabit large parts of the African continent south of the Sahara. He inhabits savannah landscapes and feeds mainly on large insects and small mammals, which he kills with long-legged kicks. But other small animals are among his prey. Among other things, he is also able to hunt poisonous snakes. The neck plumage is extended to a characteristic, long and sparse bonnet, possibly the name "secretary" goes back to this feature, as the feathers of the hood act like behind the ear inserted quills.
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Sprach der Sekretär zum Marabu. Eine Sache der Einstellung. Für mich sieht er ein wenig arrogant aus ;-)
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Der Sekretär (Sagittarius serpentarius) ist eine große Greifvogelart, die weite Teile des afrikanischen Kontinents südlich der Sahara bewohnt. Er besiedelt Savannenlandschaften und ernährt sich überwiegend von Großinsekten und kleinen Säugetieren, die er mit Fußtritten der langen Beine tötet. Aber auch andere Kleintiere gehören zu seiner Beute. Unter anderem ist er auch in der Lage, giftige Schlangen zu erjagen. Das Nackengefieder ist zu einer charakteristischen, langen und schütteren Haube verlängert, möglicherweise geht der Name „Sekretär“ auf dieses Merkmal zurück, da die Federn der Haube wie hinter das Ohr gesteckte Federkiele wirken.
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Trip to South Africa. /// Reise nach Südafrika. /// Cape Town, World of Birds
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#LookingCloseOnFriday / #Orange
I would be delighted if you also had time to visit this album : www.flickr.com/photos/110648625@N05/albums/72157667865863912
The tallest raptor in the world, the Secretary Bird is unmistableable with long, stork-like legs that are feathered from the thigh to the tarsus. This large raptor, related to hawks and eagles, is a terrestrial bird of prey and endemic to the open grasslands of sub-saharan Africa. They fly only when necessary, such as to reach their nest in the trees and for courtship displays.
I had seen it in Samburu many years ago, but only now when we were returning from Ndutu lake did I have the opportunity to photograph it.
On the road to Ndutu lake - Tanzania
Species # 1600
I would be delighted if you also had time to visit this album : www.flickr.com/photos/110648625@N05/albums/72157667865863912
Secretary Bird / Sekretär (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Ndutu and Masek Lake Area, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, Africa
Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius, 150cm / 59in. Locally COMMON in open bushed and wooded grasslands. Only member of its family.
Maasai Mara, Narok, Rift Valley, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Planckendael
Thanks for visit and comments
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....to find a secretary bird pair building a nest in Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Pretoria, especially as we had never seen these birds in Rietvlei before.
And with both their noses in the same direction they seem to be heading for a happy relationship.
And as their surname indicates, they have somethin with snakes, swallowing them whole.
sekretarisvoel/secretarybird/sagittarius serpentarius
On the runway a spectacular looking Secretary bird decides whether to run or fly! At the kalahari National park , South Africa
Secretary Birds were common in both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. They typically were seen in pairs or atop an Acacia Tree, where they nest. I think it would be interesting to follow one of these birds for an entire day to see what they consume. I’ve watched them consume many insects, an occasionally a reptile and I assume they eat small mammals as well. As shown here, birds are also part of their diet. I saw this one rushing toward something and we managed to get there before the little bird was swallowed whole. These are large birds and I’m not sure if they have any avian predators but doubt it. (Sagittarius serpentarius) (Sony a1, 200-600mm lens at 411mm, f/6.4, 1/4000 second, ISO 640)
Seen in Mara North Conservancy, Kenya. Loosely related to eagles, these unique birds eat everything from insects to lizards, snakes, and small mammals. They can fly, but mostly spend their time on the ground stalking through grass looking for prey. Their population is in a rapid decline, and they are listed as "Endangered" by ICUN>
Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius, 150 cm. / 59 in. Locally COMMON in open bushed and wooded grasslands from sea level to 3000 m. / 9843 ft.
Sole member of it's family, SAGITTARIDAE.
Maasai Mara, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Copyright Luz Rovira - All rights reserved
Photo of the Day for June 22, 2018 for the group Spectacular Animals
Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, Sekretarisvoël, Photographed in the wild, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.
Aquesta au de presa és de les més inusuals que hi ha, ja que majoritariament caça corrent per terra. Això es deu a que es centra en caçar serps, en terres africanes.
Fotografiat al Cim d'Àligues, a St. Feliu de Codines.
ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretari_(ocell)
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The secretarybird (sagittarius serpentarius) is a bird of prey somewhat unusual in the way that it hunts on land, mostly reptiles. It could be found in central and southern Africa.
Secretario, Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius.
Especie # 1.490
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Northern Cape
South Africa
The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a bird of prey, but unlike other raptors it has long legs, wings and a tail. The single species of its family, the bird gets its name from its crest of long feathers that look like the quill pens 19th century office workers used to tuck behind their ears. The bird is basically dove-grey in color, with black on the wings, thighs and elongated central tail feathers. The short, down-curved bill is backed by an area of bare, red and yellow skin. In addition, the long legs are feathered half way and have the appearance of breeches. The face is bare and the tail feathers are long and shaggy. Standing up to 4ft tall. It's tail has two black central streamers. Its most distinctive feature are the 20 black crest feathers, resembling quill pens stuck behind it's (invisible) ears. The head of the Secretary Bird (with it's yellowish bare patch) and shape of the beak are very similar to those of the caracara. They also have a very long eyelashes.
Photographed on an early morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, Nairobi, Kenya.