The SECRETARY BIRD - Issue #00019 - December 31, 2010

The SECRETARY BIRD   December 31, 2010 - Issue #00019 Whilst on safari, one often encounters interesting animals that they may not have been previously aware of. The Secretary Bird falls into that category.  The Secretary Bird is a large bird of prey, distinct from all other birds of prey, endemic to Africa, usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara. The Secretary Bird is instantly recognizable as having an eagle-like body on crane-like legs which increases the bird’s height to around 1.3 m (4 ft) tall. Although the Secretary Bird is able to fly, the Secretary Bird habitually hunts its prey on foot. They can either catch prey by chasing it and striking with the bill, or stamping on prey until it is rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow. Prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in wildfires. There are some reports of Secretary Birds killing young gazelles. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. While the birds roost on the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dark.   View full newsletter Click Here Do you want to receive a weekly full edition of our newsletter: Click Here     LION DOG AFRICAN SAFARIS 1-888-50AFRICA 1-888-502-3742 8AM-8PM EST Lion Dog African Safaris provides quality Private-Custom Tours, either Escorted or Independent, at very competitive pricing. Visit our website for details on planning your dream African Safari www.liondogafricansafaris.com Call us for a free Africa Safari consultation: 1-888-50AFRICA