Secretary Bird

Description:

The Secretary bird gets its name from how it kills its prey. It will use its scaled legs (which protect it from bites) to stomp its prey to death, similar to how a secretary types! This one was searching for food and unfortunately I did not get film of it mid hunt..

Habitat:

Secretary Birds are endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory, though they may follow food sources.Their range extends from Senegal to Somalia and south to the Cape of Good Hope. These birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands.

Notes:

Unfortunately, due to their beauty, they are a threatened species. The illegal animal trade has lowered their numbers. They go for as much as $2,000 illegally as pets...