Secretary Bird by cfulton
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The Secretary Bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara.
Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind his or her ear, as was once the practice. A more recent hypothesis is that "secretary" is borrowed from a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or "hunter-bird."
The generic name "Sagittarius" is Latin for "archer," perhaps likening the Secretary Bird's "quills" to a quiver of arrows. Its specific epithet - "serpentarius" - recalls the bird's skill as a hunter of reptiles.
Wikipedia
This was quite a demonstration we saw, the bird hunting a rubber snake with meat attached to the head. I would not like to receive a stomp from this bird. It kills a snake by smashing its skull with a well aimed downward kick.
Be nice to the secretary!
Clive

Comments (9)
Looks ungainly but you've presented him/her very well.
I really do like these birds, you have produced a great shot
This is a most delightful look at a very odd bird. His position accents the head feather's beautifully.
Fantastic shot!
Majestic capture Clive and great notes.
Nice shot. Those birds are very interesting.
ohh hes s lovely bird ! wonderful shot !
Stunning capture Clive.
A brilliant picture and what sounds like a amazing demo! Question, my friend!! Was the bird behind wire or is the wire behind the bird? Well done! Rob.