end0skeletal-undead: The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a very large, mostly terrestri
end0skeletal-undead:The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a very large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Saharan region. They can stand over four feet tall and have a wingspan as big as seven and a half feet.Prey may consist of insects, mammals ranging in size from mice to hares and mongoose, crabs, lizards, snakes, tortoises, small birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in grass or bush fires. There are even reports of secretary birds killing young gazelles and cheetah cubs.They can either catch prey by chasing it and striking with the bill and swallowing (usually with small prey), or stamping on prey until it is rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow.Photo credit from top:Cloudtail the Snow Leopard,Matthew Baldwin, Brian Scott, Bob Hall, Keven Law, andLip Kee) -- source link
#peter otoole#secretarybirds