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Thread: Secretarybird

  1. #1
    botspur's Avatar
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    Secretarybird

    This is the first time I have managed to photograph a Secretarybird eating a snake. I presume that by what is left of the snake it was a puffadder but I'm open to correction. This is one mean and efficient raptor. It is thought the name "Secretarybird" comes from that in the old days the secretary would put a feather quill pen behind the ear and it looks like image 2.???

    Secretarybird

    Secretarybird

  2. #2
    kdoc856's Avatar
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    Re: Secretarybird

    Fascinating, strange animal

  3. #3
    Moderator Donald's Avatar
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    Just add 'MacKenzie'

    Re: Secretarybird

    I have never heard of nor seen this bird. What an amazing creature. The legs look far too long for the body. Africa really is the place for wildlife, isn't it.

  4. #4
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    Re: Secretarybird

    Very interesting images and bird, Clive. Well done. On the second if it had been possible I might have gone in for a head or head and breat shot. If there is room enough a crop would suffice.

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    Re: Secretarybird

    Cool shots. #1 is really good. #2 I agree with Paul, a head shot would have been awesome.

  6. #6
    charzes44's Avatar
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    Re: Secretarybird

    It's called a secretary Bird because of the feathers behind its head that look like the quills secretaries used.

  7. #7
    davidedric's Avatar
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    Re: Secretarybird

    Great pictures, Clive. I've never managed to get close enough to one to get a decent shot - let alone eating a snake! So high quality images with a great story. Might be worth mentioning that the bird is in effect a ground living eagle.

  8. #8
    jprzybyla's Avatar
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    Re: Secretarybird

    Nice captures Clive of a very intersting bird. I would love to have an oppurtunity at one of those.

  9. #9
    botspur's Avatar
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    Re: Secretarybird

    Hi All, many thanks for the positive comments and time taken to look. Agreed that it is an amazing bird, usually found solitary or in pairs. However, we did see a gathering of 19 birds at a water point - now that was amazing. I have seen one kill a snake but at a distance, this was acheived by the bird clubbing the reptile with its feet, a real thuding sound.

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