Posts Tagged With: science

Day 36- Secretary Bird

We woke up this morning at camp and saw these amazing cool birds running around in the cool temperatures. We quickly ran to our guide book and realized we were watching the magnificent secretary bird.  We watch them all morning. These long legged birds are graceful and funny and so interesting…

Range/Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa/grasslands, desert and savannahs

Diet: Carnivore: snakes, large insects, frogs, lizards and small mammals

Height/Weight: 4 ½ ft-5ft/ 5 ½ – 10lb

Conservation Status: Common

• Secretary birds are diurnal (they’re active during the day) and nests in Acacia trees at night.
• They have long powerful legs that they use for striking prey.
• It’s thought that they were named after English secretaries because the crests on their heads look like quills that secretaries used to write with, but it’s now thought that is it comes from an Arabic word meaning “hunter bird”.
• Secretary birds walk more than they fly. They can walk up to 15 miles a day in search of food.
• It is admired in Africa for its hunting skills, especially its ability to kill venomous snakes.
• It’s even part of the Coat of Arms for South Africa.

The Secretary bird is one excellent predator! We love a bird that walks all day (elephants walk lots too).

Day #35 (6/2/2014) Southern Ground Hornbill

After taking a short traveling break to help establish the University of Ellie and Edmond. Whew- it is hard work starting up all these ways to learn about animals! We decided to finally hit the road on another adventure. We went on a quick jaunt to the African savanna to watch birds. We spotted a small family of these birds and loved them so much we had them as Guess the Animal yesterday! Come learn about these intelligent birds!

Their range/habitat: Southern-Eastern Africa/woodlands, savanna
Their length/weight: 102 cm/ 2.2- 6 kg” Conservation Status: vulnerable
Their diet: Carnivores– arthropods, lizards, snakes

• Southern Ground Hornbills are the largest hornbill species in the world.
• They have a red patch on their face and throat, female have a purple spot on their red throat.
• Southern ground hornbills spend most of their time on the ground.
• Southern ground hornbills have a low flute like call.
• They can live up to 60 years.
• Southern ground hornbills live in small groups.

We had an amazing day watching these birds walk around the savanna looking for prey to eat. Occasionally they spread their wings out to absorb the warmth of the sun. The best part is that there is lively pair living at our local zoo. When we start to reminisce about our trip today we can go visit that pair and pretend we’re here in Africa.
-Ellie and Edmond