Secretary Bird – The Walker ~ by a j mithra

The Secretary bird is a bird of prey, but unlike other raptors it has long legs, wings and a tail.

The single species of its family, the bird gets its name from its crest of long feathers that look like the quill pens 19th century office workers used to tuck behind their ears.

A more recent hypothesis is that “secretary” is borrowed from a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or “hunter-bird.” The generic name “Sagittarius” is Latin for “archer,” perhaps likening the Secretary Bird’s “quills” to a quiver of arrows, and the specific epithet “serpentarius” recalls the bird’s skill as a hunter of reptiles This is the only member of the family Sagittariidae.

The bird is basically dove-grey in color, with black on the wings, thighs and elongated central tail feathers. The short, down-curved bill is backed by an area of bare, red and yellow skin. The Secretary bird stands three feet high.

The Secretary bird is widespread throughout Africa south of the Sahara. It is found in open areas of plains and savanna country, and often congregates at areas that have been recently burnt, where mammals are deprived of cover and often injured. These birds are basically terrestrial, taking to flight only when hard-pressed. Usually only single birds are found, with members of a pair some distance apart.

The Secretary bird walks well on extremely long legs, and a bird may plod up to twenty miles in a day. When pursued, it relies on its speed to escape.

• If these birds can walk twenty miles a day, how far do we walk for the Lord?

The Bible says,

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Mathew 5:41)

• Jesus has never compelled us to walk with Him, did He?
• Unless we walk in THE WAY, to fly high like an eagle can never be possible..
• His rod and His staff, they comfort those who walk through the valley of the shadow of death..
• He is the light to those who walk in the darkness..
• He is the shield to those who walk through the fire..
• He is the spring of joy to those who walk through the valley of tears…

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1)

In addition to finding food with its beak, the Secretary bird will also stamp on grass tussocks with its feet to scare up lizards, grasshoppers, and small mammals or birds.It is a large bird of open country, savannah and steppe, which can be seen stalking across the plains in search of rodents, reptiles, large insects and, famously, snakes…

It has a surprisingly powerful kick which it uses to stamp on larger prey.

Do you remember where God has called us to stamp and walk?

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (Psalm 91:13)

This privilege is not for everyone, because, God has kept a price tag for every blessing..

The price tag for the above privilege is tied to the first verse and the ninth of the same chapter..

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (Psalm 91:9)

• Where is your secret place, your refuge and your habitation?
• When you make Jesus your habitation, you know what will happen?

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)

In addition to its normal “raptor” type diet it is also attracted to bush and grass fires, where it feeds on the small animals which fail to escape the blaze. It finds most of its food on the ground and has a partiality for snakes. It grabs the snake with its strong toes and beats it to death on the ground, while protecting itself from bites with its large wings. Finally, it seizes its prey and hurls it into the air several times to stun it. In South Africa, these birds are kept in captivity to destroy snakes and rats.

Satan thought that he can put an end to Jesus, the Creator, but, Jesus claimed victory on the cross, so that we may live under the protection of His wings forever and ever..

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:18)

Although it is usually seen walking it does have very large, broad wings and is an accomplished flyer, using thermals to gain height and soar across distances. Secretary Birds are territorial, normally occupying areas of around 45-50 square kilometers, Interestingly in Kenya they occupy smaller territories.

Secretary Birds associate in monogamous pairs. During mating season there is heavy competition between males, with birds doing acrobatic flights, climbing high into the sky, then suddenly dropping down..

During courtship, they exhibit a nuptial display by soaring high with undulating flight patterns and calling with guttural croaking. Males and females can also perform a grounded display by chasing each other with their wings up and back, much like the way they chase prey. Once paired up they are devoted and remain together for life…  They usually mate on the ground, although some do so in Acacia trees.

• Jesus gave His life so that we may remain devoted, loyal and remain together for life…
• He knew that we would walk away from Him from time to time..
• Is that the reason why He said,

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mathew 24:13)

If we cannot walk with Him on earth all through our life of may be about eighty years, do you think it is possible for us to live with Him in heaven forever and ever?

So as Secretary birds pair for life, they are remarkably faithful to their nest site too. The nest is generally placed low in the fork of a tree, usually an acacia. The huge bundle of sticks grows year by year in the manner of an eagle’s eyrie. Nests are built at a height of 5–7 m (15–20 feet) on Acacia trees. Both the male and female visit the nest site for almost half a year before egg laying takes place. The nest is around 2.5 m (eight feet) wide and 30 cm (one foot) deep, and is constructed as a relatively flat basin of sticks.

• God is remarkable faithful to finish the good work which He has started in you..
• But, how faithful are we to Him?

These birds visit their nest site for almost half the year..

• You know, Jesus is preparing a kingdom for us since the foundation of the world..
• What a loving God we have!!!!

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Mathew 25:34)

Secretary Birds occupy an ecological niche similar to that occupied by Peafowl in South and South east Asia, Roadrunners in North and Central America and Seriemas in Soth America.

The Secretary Bird is the National Emblem as well as a prominent feature on the Coat of Arms of Sudan. In Sudan, it is featured in the middle white strip of the Presidential Flag; it is the main object on the Presidential Seal, and features heavily in Sudanese military insignia. The Secretary Bird on the Presidential Flag and Seal has its head turned to the right, with its distinctive crest clearly visible and its wings spread out with a white banner between its outstretched wings reading “Victory is Ours”.

We are the crown of the King of kings and the Lord of lords..

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isaiah 62:3)

We shall be victorious because we have a God who said

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands. (1 Samuel 17:47)

Yahweh Nissi- The Lord is our banner..

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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Accipitriformes Order of the Sagittariidae Family

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