Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius

Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird
The bizarre-looking Secretary Bird (but it probably thinks we look bizarre) is native to Africa and is a raptor, the only one with long legs and a Statue of Liberty hairdo.
Secretary Bird head The Liberty hairdo
Secretary Bird and orange face with raptor bill
Secretary Bird bad hair day Another Bad Hair Day
Secretary Bird running It runs fast and preys on reptiles
Secretary Bird It will stamp its foot sharply on a snake's head to immobilise it
Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird
Some say the name Secretary Bird comes from the feathers on its head looking like quills behind the ears of Dickensian clerical staff; others say it is from the Arabic name for hunter-bird which sounds like "secretaire"; possibly it is a derivation of both, the Arabic giving rise to the English name which then stuck. Its Latin name comes from "archer" (the quills) and "serpent" (its prey).
Secretary Bird's raptor bill
Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird running