The Unique Secretary Bird Species
The Unique Secretary Bird Species got its name during the Europeans of the early 19th century, from 1800 AD to 1900 AD, when the world was undergoing tremendous change, and is credited with giving this unique raptor, known as “the secretary bird”, its name, according to a study. Male secretaries in particular wore grey tailcoats, knee-length slacks, and quill pens to write notes or dictate during this time. These secretaries would frequently store their quill pens behind their ears until they were needed on another occasion. Similarly, the long grey wings and tail feathers of this lovely secretary bird are complemented by dark feathers at the back of the head.
Correspondingly, this vibrant bird species seems to put on a tailcoat office suit and knee-length slacks, with black feathers down below its legs. It is closely related to raptors like vultures, buzzards, and kites. Despite spending most of their time on the ground hunting for food, these secretary birds do fly and nest mainly in acacia-related trees, where they lay their eggs towards the end of the breeding season.
The Unique Secretary Bird Species
Secretary birds can live up to 19 years in more protected settings, such as zoos and sanctuaries, although their normal lifespan in the wild is just 10 to 15 years. This is a result of the severe weather conditions found in the wilderness, including prolonged dry spells that cause food scarcity, which in turn causes starvation and ultimately death, and strong storms that can cause serious illness.
Breeding Season
These bird species typically mate with a single partner for the duration of their lives because they are monogamous. They occupy an area of more than 20 square miles and are territorial, particularly when hunting. To protect their young from other predators, they always build their nests high up in thorny trees related to acacias. They can mate all year long, mostly on land and occasionally in trees, and their mating season lasts from March to August. They constantly employ sticks to create a tapestry that is three to five feet broad and fifteen to twenty inches thick when building their nests. To support the eggs during laying and hatching, smooth grass is laid and lined into a hollow that is created in the centre.
Both the male and female are in charge of the incubation phase, which lasts for 6 to 7 weeks, and they lay about 1 to 3 eggs. After hatching, both the male and female share equal rights for the chicks’ upbringing, such as providing them with food and protection. For approximately three weeks, one of the bird species stays at the nest to guard the chicks from predators like vultures, owls, hornbills, and hungry crows who might prey on them while they are out for food. Chicks will always live, though; if there is an abundance of food and favourable weather conditions, if there is a lack of food during long dry seasons, they may starve to death.
Physical Characteristics of the Secretary Bird
The upper sections of the Secretary bird species have a red-orange face without feathers and a flattened dark crown. The lower portions are grey-white and pale blue-grey. With the longest legs of any predatory bird and the strength to stay above the plants, this raptor has an excellent vantage point from which to hunt its prey. It shields itself from the deadly snake bites with its protective thick scales covering all over its legs.
Sagittarius serpentarius, the scientific name for this snake hunter, is “the archer of snakes,” and it is a fitting moniker. These birds kill a snake by kicking it in the head with their strong legs, then snatching the snake as prey. Their devastating kicks quadruple their weight, and they can strike their victim in 0.015 seconds. Given that the kick is about 100 times quicker than a snake can bite, this snake archer is unquestionably the victor.
Hunting Techniques
To go hunting, these bird species always depart their nests early in the morning. Before they go hunting again in the midmorning heat, they always stop under the shade of trees. When hunting, they usually utilise their wings as a target for poison to distract their prey—especially snakes—before kicking them to death. They usually take over their hunting regions during the day, which cover around 20 square km. They return to their nests for the night before the sun sets.
Conservation Status of the Unique Secretary Bird Species
In many traditions, particularly in Africa, this bird species is a representation of resiliency and safety. Based on its deadly methods of snatching and hunting snakes, the bird is known as “the archer of snakes” in taxonomy. Thus, this is a must-see for any birdwatcher travelling to Uganda. However, habitat loss brought on by human activities like farming, habitation, and building, among others, is its biggest concern. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has also listed this species as vulnerable, indicating that additional conservation efforts are required to protect its habitats.