91°µÍø

 Published: 26 Jan 2016 | Last Updated: 26 Jan 2016 15:45:26

Scientists from The 91°µÍø and Royal Holloway, University of London, have discovered the remarkable force and speed generated by the snake-hunting Secretary Bird.

The team, including Dr Monica Daley from the Structure and Motion group, measured the force and speed of a male Secretary Bird’s kick. The bird, called Madeleine, is housed at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, an awarding winning conservation charity, where it has been trained to attack a rubber snake, snakes being one of the bird’s favourite prey in the wild.

 (free until 16th March 2016)

Secretary bird in the wild
Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), picture taken at Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

 



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