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Home arrow The Sociable Nest arrow Interesting behaviour and updates
Interesting behaviour and updates PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jean   
Saturday, 16 January 2010

I know, I know - feeling guilty again - buisy, buisy,buisy.

Yesterday I was again watching a Secretary Bird on the shores of the dam. It was buisy kicking into a raised clump of grass and I was explaining the hunting method used by these birds when it's behviour changed and it proceded to spread it's wings and lay down over the clump. After a while it began to ruffel its feathers. This leads me to wonder if it was "anting" - a method of cleaning parasites from their feathers by frightening ants into releasing formic acid.

 

An update on the Tawny in Mkhuze - The chick is as big as Ma now and also very dark in colour. It is earnestly practicing the flying idea so I do not think it will be nestbound for too long now.

» 4 Comments
1Comment
at Sunday, 17 January 2010 10:24by Jay
Wonderful that the chick is doing so well, Jean...and wonderful to hear from you again ;-))) 
interesting Secretarybird behavior, yes, have certainly never seen them do that!
2Comment
at Monday, 18 January 2010 13:17by wildtuinman
Hi Jean! 
 
I wish I could see the little Eagle grow up! 
I also have never heard of a Secretarybird anting! Very interesting behavior you picked up there!
3Comment
at Monday, 18 January 2010 16:19by Candys Style
Very interesting behaviour, it is the first time that I have heard of it! 
Glad to hear the chick is doing well!
4Comment
at Tuesday, 19 January 2010 08:53by Laine
Hi Jean! glad to see you survived the festive season! 
 
very glad to hear about the eagle chick!
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