Secretary Bird

The secretarybird, also written secretary bird, is one of the most fun animals on the planet. We saw them previously on our trip to East Africa and saw them in two areas on our most recent trip: one in Etosha NP in Namibia and four or five or more in Hwange NP in Zimbabwe.  

Secretary bird in Etosha NP.

The one in Etosha was very near Gemsbokviakte waterhole. We stopped and watched it for 10 or 15 minutes. It was very entertaining. It walked around on its long, stiff legs, occasionally bending over and checking things out, roughing its feathers, attacking unseen prey in the long grass. 

In Hwange we had an incredible day where we saw four or five or more. We spent a lot of time with the first one and then less time with subsequent sightings until we didn't stop at all. In addition, each of two evenings, we saw one in an acacia tree resting for the night. The second night as we approached on foot (during a walking safari) the secretary bird flew. 

The first night, secretary bird in an acacia tree. 

The second night, a secretary bird taking flight from an acacia tree. 

I believe this is a young secretary bird as the face is mostly yellow, instead of red, and it appears to have down on the neck and breast.