A new hatchling

Keepers are celebrating the safe arrival of an endangered Secretary Bird chick.

The chick, whose gender is not yet known, was born just two weeks ago to six-year-old Janine and dad Kevin, aged eight.

The species – Sagittarius serpentarius – is found across Sub-Saharan African with Janine and Kevin living at Longleat since 2018.

Leader keeper Lakes and Birds Matt Hardy said: “This is the second chick that Kevin and Janine have had since they’ve been at Longleat, with the first in 2021. We are providing extra smaller food items for the parents to give to the chick and as Secretary birds can be very protective of their nests and chicks, we are ensuring they have as much space and peace and quiet as possible.

“It is exciting to have a successful hatch of an endangered bird that will hopefully get to move on to another zoo and breed for itself in the future.”

The young family can be seen in the drive through Safari near the Rhino paddock.

Pictured: the chick being fed by mum captured by Keeper Ian Turner

Fact file

Secretary Bird - (Sagittarius serpentarius) a large bird of prey.

It is classed as Endangered due to the large declines being reported due to habitat degradation, hunting and trade.

The average life span is 10-15 years.

They eat a wide variety of small mammals, birds, insects and rodents. Secretary Birds are known for stamping on their prey to kill it before eating it. Parents will regurgitate food to chick for a couple of weeks before feeding it small items.

Adults are over 4 feet in height and weigh between 2.5 to 4.5 kgs. Chicks are around 25cm at hatch and weigh between 100-200g