There have been a lucky few to spot the resident Secretary Bird on Fairview Estates. The Secretary Bird is a large bird of prey that is native to Africa and unlike most birds of prey, it spends a lot of time walking on the ground rather than flying.
Have you been fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this enchanting bird? Here is some information about them, so you know where to look out for them.
What they look like: They are big birds, standing about 4 feet tall with a wingspan of around 6.5 feet. It has long legs that make it look a bit like a crane. Its body is mostly light grey with black feathers on its wings and thighs. The bird has a unique black crest of feathers on the back of its head, which looks like quill pens behind a secretary’s ear—hence the name. The face is bright orange-red with a hooked beak, perfect for hunting.
How they live: The Secretary Bird has a special way of hunting. It walks around on foot to find its prey and then uses its strong legs to kick and stomp, mostly hunting snakes, but also other small animals like insects and rodents. Even though it can fly, it prefers to stay on the ground, using its long legs to walk and run.
Where they live: You can find Secretary Birds in the savannas and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. They like open spaces, where they can easily spot and chase their prey. The Fairview bird has been spotted amongst the Macadamia Orchards hunting for food.
They build large nests high up in trees, especially acacia trees, and use the same nests year after year. The female lays two to three eggs, which take about 45 days to hatch. Both parents feed the chicks, which learn to fly after about 75-80 days.
Secretary Birds are facing challenges like habitat loss, human activity, and poisoning. Even though they’re still found in many areas, their numbers are going down.
Secretary Birds are one of Africa’s most iconic species, celebrated for their impressive size, stunning appearance, and fierce hunting prowess and we feel particularly fortunate to have one frequenting Fairview Estates!
