The Secretary Bird - The Snake Bearer!

This 1.3m tall bird of prey stands out like no other. Its name, most appropriate. Sagittarius serpentarius, Sagitarius is the atrology star sign of the archer and Serpentarius is "Snake Bearer" also commonly associated with the star sign Ophiuchus - a man bearing a snake.

In 1779 English illustrator John Frederick Miller was the first European to describe the secretarybird and it was soon after assigned to its own genus Sagittarius by French naturalist Johann Hermann, but it was not until 1935 that the species was moved to its own family, distinct from all other birds of prey. 

Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind their ear, as was once common practice. A more recent hypothesis is that "secretary" is borrowed from a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or "hunter-bird".

Road Trip Namibia, your one stop shop to all of Namibia, Itiniraries, reservations, permits, rentals.

Photo by: Willem Kruger

A Halfcollared Kingfisher - Terror from above!

As a guide I have learnt that many times whilst traveling from one destination to the next, you many times wont see much. This is because most people only look for wildlife and fail to notice that there is a vast wealth of bird life. When you realize that there is about 600 different types of birds in Namibia and that they all look different and have differnt habitats and habits, it is then that you start developing a fond appreciation for the little things in life.

Birding is a wonderful hobby, at first glance I thought this to be a malachite kingfisher looking at the top of the head being blue, but I wasnt certain so I picked up the Roberts to confirm that in fact it wasnt! I then noted that they dont have black bills and then confirmed that the only blue upper head with black bill was the Halfcollared Kingfisher. Birding is like an investigation!

In namibia you will find the Kingfishers all in the Caprivi. Some more rare than others. Yet always a treat when you spot one. Normally on a branch not to high away from the water, studying the surface for fish like the little mister in this photo.

Dont miss out on value added to value to your travel experience by not having a hobby, be it photography, birding, studying animal tracks, they all help slow you down, to take a moment to observe something unique whilst catching your breath in mid hike. 

Is birding your cup of tea?

Road Trip Namibia, your one stop shop to all of Namibia, Itiniraries, reservations, permits, rentals.