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The Sociable Nest

Interesting behaviour and updates

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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