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The Secretary Bird Is So Gorgeous, It Could Easily Become A Character In A Pixar Movie

The Secretary Bird Is So Gorgeous, It Could Easily Become A Character In A Pixar Movie

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The secretary (Sagittarius Serpentarius) is a large African bird related to hawks and eagles. It got this name because of its quill-like crests on the back of its head that resemble 18th-century clerks with pens tucked into their wigs. This predatory bird has another distinctive feature. Eyelashes. Long, prominent eyelashes that makeup models would kill for.

Image credits: Rudi Luyten

Image credits: Brian Connolly

Brian Connolly has been working in nature photography for 10 years. Despite his experience, the secretary bird has still found ways of impressing him. “From what I’ve seen, the secretary bird is truly unique,” he told Bored Panda. “These exotic birds hunt snakes on the ground by stomping them with their dinosaur-looking legs and talons.”

Image credits: Brian Connolly

Image credits: Rudi Luyten

And that’s completely true. Secretary birds are diurnal carnivorous raptors who feed upon a variety of prey, and their ability to kill snakes on the African grasslands is well documented. Unlike most birds of prey, the secretary bird is largely terrestrial which means it hunts its prey on foot. These beautiful birds may travel over 18 miles (30 km) a day in search of snakes, insects, and other animals.

Image credits: tlc photography

Image credits: Brian Connolly

And even though they feed upon snakes such as Adders and even Cobras, secretary birds will also consume lizards, amphibians, rodents, and bird eggs. Small animals are usually eaten whole while larger prey is stamped to death before being consumed. The secretary bird also stamps on the ground with its big stout-toed feet to flush prey out of hiding.

Image credits: Brian Connolly

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Image credits: Brian Connolly

“The challenges of photographing secretary birds are similar of any wildlife photographer,” Connolly said. “They move quickly and getting them sharp and in focus is always a challenge.” The secretary bird looks more like a friendly stork than a bird of prey. These tall birds can measure around 4.5 feet (1.35 m) in height, weigh 7.3 pounds (3.3 kg), and have a wingspan of over 6.5 feet (2 m). The secretary bird has a relatively small head and a hooked beak. The plumage tends to be a light-bluish grey, and its face is red. Flight feathers are black, and they have black feathers on their thighs and the back of their heads. Their legs are long and powerful, and as mentioned before, are used for dealing with prey. They don’t have grasping toes like other birds of prey. Instead, their toes are thick and blunt with short curved talons on the ends.

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Image credits: Brian Connolly

Image credits: Brian Connolly

These majestic creatures prefer open grasslands, steppe, and tree-dotted savannas. They live in areas where the grass is fairly short so that they can hunt easier. Secretary birds build large nests in Acacia trees or thorn trees made from long, flat twigs and grass and can measure 8 feet wide and 1 foot deep. It’s pretty common for their nests to grow larger year by year. They return to their nests just before dark to roost overnight after hunting. These birds avoid forests, and dense shrubberies as these areas restrict their movement.

Image credits: alexnardiniph

Image credits: Brian Connolly

Courtship includes a mutual display of chasing each other with wings spread up and backward, similar to how they act when chasing ground prey. Mating takes place either on the ground or in their large nests high up in Acacia trees. The female lays 2 – 3 oval eggs over 2 – 3 days. The female incubates the rough textured eggs for another 45 – 50 days.

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Image credits: Keven Law

Image credits: Brian Connolly

The young start flapping their wings when they’re 60 days old, developing wing feathers around 80 days old. Although they still remain in the nest for most of the time, they already go on expeditions with their parents who teach them hunting.

Image credits: Brian Connolly

Image credits: Brian Connolly

The secretary bird has been admired in Africa for its striking appearance and ability to deal with pests and snakes. In fact, it even made its way to the emblem of Sudan as well as the coat of arms of South Africa.

Image credits: Brian Connolly

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Image credits: Brian Connolly

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scott-hardee avatar
SC0TTYD0
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These birds now prefers to go by Administrative Assistant birds. The younger birds felt secretary was too old fashioned and demeaning.

synfoil avatar
Reirei
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Secretary birds are amazing, they don't seem to have any fear. These are lovely photos, they really capture the facial expressions.

joanncasey70 avatar
Joann Casey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw one at a falconry display in France once, It kicked the bejeezers out of a rubber snake.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's actually a secretary bird character in the Sanrio cartoon series Aggrestsuko. She's super stylish and cool.

christa-levy47 avatar
fruit_panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Small animals are usually eaten whole while larger prey is stamped to death before being consumed." Yeah, the secretary at my old doctor's office was the same way.

mekala-whitaker avatar
Alexa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beak like an eagle and legs like a flamingo and body like a peacock!! Wow!

sheilachris80 avatar
Lyop
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. What's the make up line 'cos they on fleek!! And what's the mascara? I NEEEEED IT!!

justtina avatar
Just Tina
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I look at the birds eyelashes and then I look at my non-existent ones. So sad lol

christa-levy47 avatar
fruit_panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's scientific name (Sagittarius Serpentarius) sounds like a Harry Potter character!

ann_m_rosa avatar
Amazon QT
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are awesomely amazing photographs. Such beautiful birds and it’s nice to see the feathers staying on the birds instead of being used as accessories for models. 👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disney beat Pixar to it. Bedknobs & Broomsticks has a secretary bird that's an assistant {or secretary} to the king on Naboombu island. Love that movie

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent photography, love these amazing birds, thanks for sharing !!!

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a treat to see these beautiful birds, the feathers, colors, and of course the eye lashes, simply awesome, would like to keep the post, and admire them forever !!!

freak_wk avatar
Murmur Plopslop
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember she appeared in a few animation movies or cartoons, but I couldn't recall which one..

edwinquantrall avatar
Edwin Quantrall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“They hunt snakes on the ground by stomping them with their dinosaur-looking legs and talons.” Now imagine what they'd do to a typewriter or computer keyboard... 😬

dhelor avatar
Micah Pettit
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like there has to be a pokemon designed after these, and if there isn't then there ought to be. I'm looking at you, Pokemon Sword/Shield.

mish7765 avatar
Michelle Rudd
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ZAZU IN THE LION KING ! He was a secretary bird, and he was secretary to the king, do we forget so easily?!?

elextech avatar
Vincent Jay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice looking bird. Reminds me of the birds of paradise in New Guinea.

spiritwolf avatar
spirit wolf
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This bird certainly had atleast a few lash lift treatments!

amuletswimfabrics avatar
R.s. Potter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks a little bit like a Harpy Eagle. Longer legs, but the same crest on the back of the head.

kyrak1990 avatar
Kyra Kudravy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a Secretary Bird character in Aggretsuko - she is GORGEOUS

staceywebb88 avatar
Stacey Webb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe there is a secretary bird in Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks :)

jaekrijnen avatar
Jaekry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wait... When you see how it struts the plains... We call it "The Dude (Bird)"...

leslieann-drummond avatar
Leslie-Ann Drummond
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are beautiful birds and one of the highlights of African safaris. Feel blessed to have seen them on numerous occasions. But never this close up. Gorgeous photos.

hazelree avatar
Stille20
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Character in a pixar movie? ... How am I the first one to bring up Kevin?

tmcgarry11 avatar
Coupdetara
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

kelvinmcgrath avatar
kelvin mcgrath
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get Your Ex Boyfriend/Girlfriend Back! contact: Robinson.buckler@ {{yahoo}} . com ……………….

redsongamble avatar
TheExtremeSmell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a movie called secretary. I think it was about how noble and majestic these birds are

scott-hardee avatar
SC0TTYD0
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These birds now prefers to go by Administrative Assistant birds. The younger birds felt secretary was too old fashioned and demeaning.

synfoil avatar
Reirei
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Secretary birds are amazing, they don't seem to have any fear. These are lovely photos, they really capture the facial expressions.

joanncasey70 avatar
Joann Casey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw one at a falconry display in France once, It kicked the bejeezers out of a rubber snake.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's actually a secretary bird character in the Sanrio cartoon series Aggrestsuko. She's super stylish and cool.

christa-levy47 avatar
fruit_panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Small animals are usually eaten whole while larger prey is stamped to death before being consumed." Yeah, the secretary at my old doctor's office was the same way.

mekala-whitaker avatar
Alexa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beak like an eagle and legs like a flamingo and body like a peacock!! Wow!

sheilachris80 avatar
Lyop
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok. What's the make up line 'cos they on fleek!! And what's the mascara? I NEEEEED IT!!

justtina avatar
Just Tina
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I look at the birds eyelashes and then I look at my non-existent ones. So sad lol

christa-levy47 avatar
fruit_panda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's scientific name (Sagittarius Serpentarius) sounds like a Harry Potter character!

ann_m_rosa avatar
Amazon QT
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are awesomely amazing photographs. Such beautiful birds and it’s nice to see the feathers staying on the birds instead of being used as accessories for models. 👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disney beat Pixar to it. Bedknobs & Broomsticks has a secretary bird that's an assistant {or secretary} to the king on Naboombu island. Love that movie

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent photography, love these amazing birds, thanks for sharing !!!

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a treat to see these beautiful birds, the feathers, colors, and of course the eye lashes, simply awesome, would like to keep the post, and admire them forever !!!

freak_wk avatar
Murmur Plopslop
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember she appeared in a few animation movies or cartoons, but I couldn't recall which one..

edwinquantrall avatar
Edwin Quantrall
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“They hunt snakes on the ground by stomping them with their dinosaur-looking legs and talons.” Now imagine what they'd do to a typewriter or computer keyboard... 😬

dhelor avatar
Micah Pettit
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like there has to be a pokemon designed after these, and if there isn't then there ought to be. I'm looking at you, Pokemon Sword/Shield.

mish7765 avatar
Michelle Rudd
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ZAZU IN THE LION KING ! He was a secretary bird, and he was secretary to the king, do we forget so easily?!?

elextech avatar
Vincent Jay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice looking bird. Reminds me of the birds of paradise in New Guinea.

spiritwolf avatar
spirit wolf
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This bird certainly had atleast a few lash lift treatments!

amuletswimfabrics avatar
R.s. Potter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks a little bit like a Harpy Eagle. Longer legs, but the same crest on the back of the head.

kyrak1990 avatar
Kyra Kudravy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a Secretary Bird character in Aggretsuko - she is GORGEOUS

staceywebb88 avatar
Stacey Webb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe there is a secretary bird in Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks :)

jaekrijnen avatar
Jaekry
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wait... When you see how it struts the plains... We call it "The Dude (Bird)"...

leslieann-drummond avatar
Leslie-Ann Drummond
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are beautiful birds and one of the highlights of African safaris. Feel blessed to have seen them on numerous occasions. But never this close up. Gorgeous photos.

hazelree avatar
Stille20
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Character in a pixar movie? ... How am I the first one to bring up Kevin?

tmcgarry11 avatar
Coupdetara
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

kelvinmcgrath avatar
kelvin mcgrath
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get Your Ex Boyfriend/Girlfriend Back! contact: Robinson.buckler@ {{yahoo}} . com ……………….

redsongamble avatar
TheExtremeSmell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a movie called secretary. I think it was about how noble and majestic these birds are

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