Know About This African Bird Kill Their Prey By One Leg

In the open grassland of Africa, a bird roams; it doesn't hunt like general birds with their beak but with its lightning fast kicks from a single leg. The Secretary Bird, scientific name Sagittarius serpentarius has long and large legs that are used as a raptor which is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its hunting technique is quite unique which stoms the prey to death, especially snakes and only by using one powerful leg. This article explores how this elegant predator has turned their leg into a lethal weapon.


The bird is gifted with long crane like legs, eagle like head and impressive height up to 1.3 meters. Where other birds flew down to catch prey, this bird hunts on land by walking miles daily across the grassland of the savanna. Its main diet includes snakes, lizards, rodents and small birds and the fascinating part is, the bird can kick with a force of five times its own body weight that can kill venomous snakes like cobras and vipers within seconds. Scientists said its strike speed is up to 50 milliseconds which is faster than a blink.
Studying the unique anatomy of Secretary Birds is fascinating, their long tendons and specialised joints which is capable of absorbing shock to prevent self injury. Their hunting behaviour is unique, they stalk their prey silently then do their work quickly, precisely kick the prey using one leg while keeping balance on the other. After killing the prey they toss it into the air and then swallow. Locals regard this bird as a symbol of courage and protection, so they are the conservationists of this bird. If you listen to the African folklore, you can find it's mention and even in South Africa's national emblem.

It is a bird that rules the grassland of Savanna, not from the sky but from the ground. And this is majestic symbol of Africa, when the reign of the sky through flights defines power, the Secretary Bird still shows their strength in the land and proves something that is related to the soil.

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