Secretarybird

[botspur]

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.???

[kdoc856]

Fascinating, strange animal

[Donald]

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.

[jeeperman]

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.

[Bobobird]

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

[charzes44]

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

[davidedric]

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.

[jprzybyla]

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

[botspur]

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.