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==Description==

==Description==

The secretary bird is a large raptor, often seen on the ground walking in a manner similar to cranes or bustards.  It has a body length of 4.1 to 4.9 feet; a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet, and stands nearly 4 feet tall on crane-like legs.  It is predominately gray, with black primaries and secondaries on the wings, black belly and thighs.  The tail is long with black bars, with the two central tail feathers nearly twice as long as the others.  In flight the secretary bird is almost unmistakable, giving the the appearance of a powerful hawk or eagle in front with long legs and tail of a crane trailing behind.

The secretary bird is a large raptor, often seen on the ground walking in a manner similar to cranes or bustards.  It has a body length of 4.1 to 4.9 feet; a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet, and stands nearly 4 feet tall on crane-like legs.  It is predominately gray, with black primaries and secondaries on the wings, black belly and thighs.  The tail is long with black bars, with the two central tail feathers nearly twice as long as the others.  In flight the secretary bird is almost unmistakable, giving the appearance of a powerful hawk or eagle in front with long legs and tail of a crane trailing behind.

The relatively small head is eagle-like with quite large eyes and a hook-shaped, blue-gray beak, yellow waxy skin and a lively orange, bare skin around the eye. Unlike other birds of prey, the upper eyelids bare long eyelashes.

The relatively small head is eagle-like with quite large eyes and a hook-shaped, blue-gray beak, yellow waxy skin and a lively orange, bare skin around the eye. Unlike other birds of prey, the upper eyelids bare long eyelashes.

==Diet==

==Diet==

The secretary bird feeds on small to medium sized prey animals, ranging in size from small insects to hares. In terms of numbers, insects such as beetles and grasshoppers represent the largest proportion of prey items taken; other animals include mice, hedgehogs, mongooses, meerkats, and hares; lizards, snakes, chameleons, small birds, and juveniles of larger species, such as ostriches and ducklings.  The bird has not been seen to scavenge the carcasses of dead animals.

The secretary bird feeds on small to medium-sized prey animals, ranging in size from small insects to hares. In terms of numbers, insects such as beetles and grasshoppers represent the largest proportion of prey items taken; other animals include mice, hedgehogs, mongooses, meerkats, and hares; lizards, snakes, chameleons, small birds, and juveniles of larger species, such as ostriches and ducklings.  The bird has not been seen to scavenge the carcasses of dead animals.

Prey animals are only searched for while the bird is on the ground, whereby the bird can walk between 12 to 18 miles per day, taking virtually all suitable prey animals that it can see. Sometimes it will pursue prey in short sprints, opening the wings halfway to keep his balance.  It will kick at tufts of grass to flush out hiding animals, and has been observed near the edges of grass fires, taking advantage of fleeing animals.   

Prey animals are only searched for while the bird is on the ground, whereby the bird can walk between 12 and 18 miles per day, taking virtually all suitable prey animals that it can see. Sometimes it will pursue prey in short sprints, opening the wings halfway to keep his balance.  It will kick at tufts of grass to flush out hiding animals, and has been observed near the edges of grass fires, taking advantage of fleeing animals.   

Prey is killed with targeted kicks. Experiments with a captive bird showed that these kicks occur at a very high speed. The contact with the prey lasts 15 milliseconds - only one tenth of the time it takes to open and close a human eyelid - and is done with a force of 195 newtons, which corresponds to five times the body weight of the bird. Larger prey is sometimes held with one foot while stomped with the other and/or torn with the beak.  Prey animals are consumed whole, with the indigestible portions (hair, bones, etc) regurgitated as pellets.   

Prey is killed with targeted kicks. Experiments with a captive bird showed that these kicks occur at a very high speed. The contact with the prey lasts 15 milliseconds - only one tenth of the time it takes to open and close a human eyelid - and is done with a force of 195 newtons, which corresponds to five times the body weight of the bird. Larger prey is sometimes held with one foot while stomped with the other and/or torn with the beak.  Prey animals are consumed whole, with the indigestible portions (hair, bones, etc.) regurgitated as pellets.   

==References==

==References==