Rietvlei Nature Reserve through Greenies' Eyes

[Amoli]

Dewi, can I post the Courting Secretary birds?

[Dewi]

Yes please Amoli.

[Amoli]

Part of : Rietvlei meet for Dewi

We first saw the pair of Secretary birds while they were out for a stroll



We didn’t notice the female fly up to the tree. At first it seemed as if there was a nest she was attending to. Dewi was watching them through his Bino’s while I was clicking away.









The male then joined the female and he put up a courting ritual looking something like the rumba.







He was putting his best claw forward and gave the samba a try….
She was not interested and dropped her eyes and bowing her head.





He realized she was not going to allow him….. and decided to leave









This was an awesome sighting for both myself and Dewi - a first time seeing the courting ritual.

[nan]

wow rumba in the morning

[Flutterby]

Lovely sighting!

[Lisbeth]

The bird itself is quite a sight, but seeing it in a session of rumba and samba must have been great
Great shots, Amoli

[Bush Brat]

Great sequence!

[Bushcraft]

Fantastic secretary bird sighting

[Dewi]

Great photos of a spectacular sighting Amoli.

Secretarybirds usually breed during the wetter months of the year, but begin nest building up to 6 months beforehand. Apart from flight displays, they also display on the nest together as they start the nest building by trampling a flat area in the crown of a bush or small tree. Sticks are then added. Both birds will display on the nest by head bowing, raising their wings high above their backs and also fan and raise their tails to show the white undertail coverts.

I've been lucky enough to observe several species of raptor during courtship display over the years, but this one rates amongst the best.

A very special sighting that was great to share with you Amoli.

[Dewi]

A few more photos taken in Rietvlei.

Crowned Lapwing.



Yellow-billed Ducks.



Green-backed Heron.