Secretarybird - the day of the big fight!

First - quality not good, video camera, birds did appear in an open field. Anyway, we saw the single Sec.bird hunting, mostly snakes which they stamp with their feet, when..

out of nowhere a pair came running and a big fight ensued. They kicked and winged each other. This is life or death stuff and two on onenot good. It was incredible to be witness to this...

The single went down. And immediately the pair walked off as if nothing happened, looking for food. We waited a bit and them moved closer, fearing the worst, but he was still alive, ruffled yes, but thank goodness alive....we retreated and after a while...

He got up and walked off...we knew we just witnessed a special treat, not seen by many, as the true life and death "nature" of nature played out. Amazing, amazing birds, rare to see and when that crown opens up, royal in stature. What a day!

This message was edited Jun 21, 2008 1:21 PM

Welcome to Daves Garden Little_things!

What a rare treat to see that, your excitement comes through. It's great to have you here, so good to have someone from South Africa. Hope you continue to post pics of your amazing birds!

I second what wallaby said! Thank You!

What a drama you witnessed and captured. Those birds have incredibly powerful looking legs. I guess they'd have to be if they prey on snakes.

Very cool, little. I had never heard of a Secretary bird, researched it as a result of your post. Thanks!

Margaret, actually they hunt and eat mainly grasshoppers (Insects), some rodents, lizard and snakes, last few form a smaller part of their diet. We have seen them hunting before, we drove slowly through the field and they came around a bush/tree, my wife screamed "STOP", forgetting the window was down, nearly giving me and the birds a heart attack! They froze on the spot, and then after a while of "checking" us, possibly saying "two mad bird watchers" they went on with their thing! I was still a bit shaky from the scare, and we could keep it in for about 10 min, but then it was all-out laughter for the whole picture.lol!

Amazing! Hope to see more of your pics.
Sue

You must post more pics just now.

Thanks Sue, Margaret - I am planning to buy a camera, in the next week(s), so the quality will hopefully improve, I try and create a story of the pics to compensate for lack of quality..

Little_things, I have been so inspired by the quality of the images in these threads and forums that likewise, I am intending to upgrade from my current point and shoot digital - (I often refer to it as something other than point and shoot).

What an amazing bird and I also think the pics are amazing considering they are from a video camera. I didn't know this bird existed so I thank you for posting. Hope to see more from you and Welcome to BW Forum!

Rose

Thanks Dellrose, the pics I had to work a little on the PC, not that it made much difference, but hey I tried.

Amazing!

Big Birds! We're lucky to have you share with us little. Thanks. Yes, margaret - I second (or third) the camera upgrade. My little digital is fine for up close shots, but doesn't work out from any distance.

I wonder why it's called a secretary bird?

The long crest feathers on the head look like the old quill pens that secretaries used to use.

Resin