Rare species bred: secretary bird
Date: 27.10.2009
We can announce the first breeding success in the case of secretary birds within the Czech Republic. In addition, the two young 'serpent eaters' present the only two young within European collections this year.
The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is an African bird of prey featuring a peculiar name, which it got from the elongated feathers stemming from its nape and reaching as far as neck, resembling the quill pens that clerks once used to wear tucked behind their ears. In addition, its scientific name referring to the species tells more about this raptor's diet. The bird that can grow up to 150 cm and weigh some 2.5 to 4.5 kg ranges almost in entire Africa south of the Sahara, where it dwells in all kinds of grassy plains and savannahs in varied elevations, specializing in catching snakes. In addition to this kind of prey, this bird feeds on insects, such as locusts, but also on other small vertebrates. Males and females are of the same colouring. Large nests are built on solitary trees, namely acacias, and mostly 1-3 white eggs are laid here and incubated 42-46 days.
The zoo obtained a pair of secretary birds in late 2002. Once the quarantine period was over, they were placed into the enclosure shared with lesser antelope species. Later on, they were moved into their own winter facility that neighbours with the giraffe enclosure. The birds started displaying nesting activities already in 2005, trying to mate, and building their nest in the open space in their enclosure. More intense efforts began with the move into their own house, where the female laid her first egg. As the nest that had been built by the birds was still incomplete and rugged, the eggs were taken out and put into an incubator. The first young at Dvur Kralove - and in the Czech Republic as well - hatched on 12 September 2008; unfortunately, it could not be raised due to the malformed sternum and died eight days after.
In 2009, one egg from the clutch was left in the nest. A young bird hatched from this egg on 4 June 2009, with subsequent excellent care delivered by its parents. Entry into the winter facility, where the nest had been build, was restricted only to zoo keepers, as the male was showing a high level of aggressiveness, while the female was very nervous. When the young was just about to leave the nest, another egg was laid by the female. This time the egg was removed to the incubator and returned into the nest just prior the hatching time. The second young secretary bird of this year hatched on 19 August 2009; at that time, the first young had been separated into another exhibit.
