Secretarybird
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Sekretarisvoël  SecretarybirdSagittarius serpentarius Kruger National Park |
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Description - The Secretarybird is a large (140 cm, the female is slightly smaller than the male) terrestrial bird of prey, most often seen striding through the veld in search of prey. If an animal is disturbed, it is pursued rapidly through the grass and then clubbed to death with surprisingly powerful and accurate kicks of the short feet equipped with a robust talon (claw) at the end. Often the bird opens its wings to help it keep its balance during the process.
The bird is mostly grey, with black primaries, leg feathers and also a black crest of elongated feathers. The tail is grey, with two broad black bars across its length and clearly visible in flight. Two very long central tail feathers project past the feet in flight. The short bill is hooked at the tip. The upper parts of the very long legs are feathered with black feathers, the lower leg is bare and pinkish-grey in colour but covered with heavy scales that may protect them while walking through the bush or when attacking their prey.
When attacking prey, the bird will stand slightly back, spread both wings, erect the crest of feathers at the back of the head and fire away with both talons with rapid trampling movements . The two very long tail feathers will also drop down. The spread wings and feathers act as a false target for venomous creatures, particularly snakes. The two tail feathers look like a third leg: the bird will not be poisoned if it is bitten in the feathers.
Distribution - The Secretarybird is only found in Africa south of the Sahara desert.
Habitat - Its preferred habitat is open grass plains and steppes, and savannah and bushveld when it is not too dense. It is also attracted to bush and grass fires, where it feeds on the small animals which fail to escape the blaze. Secretarybirds are territorial, normally occupying areas of around 45-50 square kilometres. They nest in trees (usually acacia). Their nest can reach 8 feet across, even though it only holds 2-3 eggs at time.
Biological - The Secretary Bird is an almost completely silent bird. At the nest and during nuptial display it makes a variety of hoarse, croaking calls. It is often noisy on the roost at night, making mewing cries. The young in the nest sometimes call with the head thrown back like the Bald Eagle.
Usually seen in pairs (Secretarybirds are monogamous) 6 to 8 m apart, sometimes in groups of 3-4 birds, striding across plains at about 2.5-3 km/h. sometimes by stamping on it with its feet, as when killing rodents or snakes. The Secretarybird has very large, broad wings and can fly very well, but rarely does so. It uses thermals to gain height and soar across distances, soaring like a vulture on broad wings. Takes off usually by running, but can also do so from a standing position. Performs soaring and undulating courtship flights. Roosts on top of a bush or a tree at night.
Height 1-1.20 m, weight 4-5 kg, wingspan 2.10 m.
Diet - Catches all prey on then ground, usually with its bill. Mostly insects, lizards, snakes, tortoises, young hares, birds' young and eggs. Small prey are picked up in the bill and swallowed. Larger prey are first stamped to death and then eaten. The bird also stamps its feet on the ground to flush out prey. Although they hunt on the ground, the Secretarybird can fly very well, but rarely does so.
Breeding - Secretarybirds build a platform nest of sticks on the top of a low tree. The nest is a large, flat platform of sticks on top of a dense thorny tree, and is used a number of years. Breeding occurs throughout the year, with a peak from August - December. The female normally lays 2-3 eggs that are incubated for 42 - 46 days. The young fledge from 9-15 weeks of age. They can fly after about 80 days.
Secretarybirds regurgitate food and water for their young chicks, unlike most other birds of prey who tear the food into small pieces or give whole prey to the young.
About the name The scientific name Sagittarius serpentarius can be taken to mean 'The Archer of Snakes', deriving from the Latin words sagittarius, and archer - referring to the striding gait of the bird resembling a crossbow man advancing to shoot; serpentis - referring to a snake; and arius, pertaining to its feeding on snakes and lizards. The common name is thought to come from the resemblance of the long head feathers that look like an early clerk or secretary placing a number of quill pens behind his ear. Another explanation is that the name comes from the Arabic "saqu ettair", meaning hunter-bird, which 'translates' into French as "secrétaire".
Other names - UK Secretary Bird - HU Kígyászkeselyű - RU Птица-секретарь - CZ Hadilov písař - F Messager sagittaire, Messager Serpentaire, Serpentaire, Grand serpentaire, Secrétaire des serpents - D Sekretär - ESP Secretario - S Sekreterarfågel - NL Secretarisvogel - IT Serpentario - ZA, SA Sekretarisvoël
Books
Ian Sinclair et al. - Sasol birds of Southern Africa, 2nd ed. Struik Publ. ISBN 1-86872-033-0
Kenneth Newman - Newman se voëls van Suider-Afrika. SAPPI. ISBN 1-868-12-758-3
Weblinks
Peregrine Fund
Birdlife
Rapaphila
Onime
R. Goedegebuur
Kenya birds
The Big Zoo
Hawk Conservancy
Don Roberson