Secretarybird hunting for food in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa

Secretarybird hunting for food in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa

Meet the secretarybird, but don’t be fooled by its administrative name. This four-foot-tall bird of prey is a force to be reckoned with. The South African species is known for its eagle-like body and powerful, crane-like legs, which it uses to stamp on its prey until it can be swallowed whole. Research has shown that the secretarybird can stamp with a force of up to five times its own weight. The fierce bird gets its name from its unique headgear – the black feathers that protrude from its head are said to resemble old-fashioned quill pens stuck behind a writer or secretary’s ear. If anyone has the confidence to pull off this look, it’s the secretarybird.