RED-LEGGED SERIEMA CRANE
Cariama cristata

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION:
Standing approximately 1 metre (3 feet) tall, the Red-legged Seriema Crane and its Black-legged counterpart have no close relatives in the bird world. They are similar in many ways to the Secretary Bird and prey on insects and reptiles, supplementing their diet with fruit.

Although they have the ability to fly they rarely use their wings for flight, preferring instead to run. They can reach speeds of about 45 mph (70 kph) when running.

These birds are usually solitary, except after a grass fire, when they can be seen in their hundreds, gathering around the edge of the burnt area searching for insects.