the secretary bird is a large bird of prey endemic to the grasslands and savannahs of africa. secretary birds are several feet tall and weigh 5-11 pounds, but are strong for their size – typically, they kill their prey by chasing it on foot then stomping it to death. the secretary bird is distinct from other birds of prey by its long, crane-like legs. it is thought they earned the name ‘secretary’ bird due to their black crest, which is said to resemble quills behind a secretary’s ear.
(x)
the long-tailed glossy starling is a distinct member of the starling family native to tropical africa, typically living in open woodland. like other starlings, they are omnivorous and feed mainly on fruit and insects. the sexes are similar, both featuring brightly colored iridescent plumage, but juveniles have duller, more brown plumage.
(x)
the thick billed raven is a large corvid endemic to africa. thick-billed ravens are easily distinguished from other ravens by their massive beaks. like other ravens, they are opportunistic feeders, and will eat on carrion, small animals, insects, and more. they are considered by some to be the heaviest passerine in the world.
(x)
the grey-headed lovebird is found only on the island of madagascar – the only lovebird species that isn’t found on the african continent. they are also the smallest of the lovebird species.
(x)
malachite sunbirds are native to africa; only the males have vibrant iridescent green plumage. the distinct long, curved beak of sunbirds is used to probe inside flowers and collect nectar.
(x)
palm nut vultures, found in africa, are an unusual member of the vulture family – a large portion of their diet consists of palm nuts. carrion doesn’t play a major role in their diet – they prefer to feed on eggs, fish, crustaceans, and reptiles.
(x)
a southern masked weaver feeding a diederik cuckoo. like others in the cuckoo family, diederik cuckoos are brood parasites. the mother cuckoo will lay her egg in another species’ nest, leaving those birds to raise the young.
(x)
madagascan pygmy kingfishers are small members of the kingfisher family found exclusively on the island of madagascar.
(x)
the diederik cuckoo is a small bird found in south africa. both males and females have glossy green plumage, though females have more copper on their bodies.
(x)
the palm-nut vulture is a bird of prey native to africa. these unusual vultures are the only member of their genus, and have strange diet habits for vultures – over 60% of the adult’s diet consists of palm fruit. they are also the smallest old world vulture, and don’t have a completely naked head like most vultures.
(x)
today's bird 
