Secretary Bird - can you take them for walks?

[741HCR]

Ok, I am sure this is a very silly thought but I will ask anyway. I understand the Secretary Bird will plod about 20 miles in a day. Is it possible to train them to go on walks with the family and the dog? The children want another dog but I don't. I would prefer something different. I know my Harris would follow me for miles but some of the shooting estates I walk through may object to a Harris catching their birds. But a Secretary Bird??? Is this an option or is it right up there with the daft ideas?

[HawkMan69UK]

if i rememmber jemmima had an imprint one years ago would wonder about and kill hose pipes :lol:

[Jon]

That would be a sight, :D If you ever do it send use some pictures.
Would be good to see you with family and dog followed up by s,b

[Hawkmaster]

We used to see them all the time in South Africa next to the roadsides as they hunted in the tall grass of the veld. We never though of using them to train up though!

[Gaz]

as they hunted in the tall grass of the veld
Is this the wherethe****arewe birds HM :?: :twisted:

[Kevin Massey]

wherethe****arewe

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

quality

[Hawkmaster]

No they are shorter that is why they call like that! :lol:

[ColdZero]

i have thought about this too, i saw a video of JPJ's attackign a rubber snake, it looked awesome.

[Gaz]

I seen Mima attacking a big,black,rubber thing,..had nothing to do with birds or snakes though :twisted: :finga:

[Kevin Massey]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Gaz]

or snakes though
Unless it has one eye and lives in trousers :shock:

[741HCR]

i have thought about this too

It's good to know that someone else has thought the same. If the bird could keep up with the speed of a family walk it would be very entertaining but I have a feeling they are going to plod a bit too slowly.

Does anybody know anyone in the UK that keeps Secretary Birds now that Jamina has gone?

A Wallaby was another thought but apparently they are awkward baskets and have a habit of going in the opposite direction.

[Mary Quite Contrary]

The Secretary bird can fly as good as a Harris if it wants,
the Hawk conservancy lost there's for a while doing a display, it got bored of attacking a rubber snake in a plant pot and flew off.???



So i wouldn't put it as a good idea??

I would like to own one so i can put stockings on it?

[Gaz]

I would like to own one so i can put stockings on it?
Pretty worried about you Chas :shock: :wink:

[Bubo]

dont worry your idea is not as nutty as you think. I have also pondered about the secretary bird as i love their wonderful expressions. After my hubby gave me that 'definately not' and 'if you ask another stupid question like that all bop will be banned here' look i didnt go any further shame cos going out for a walk with him/her would be fab!!
bubo

[Varmint]

No sorry bubo it is a daft idea:lol: :lol:

Imagine it Stamping the ***** out of some poor Yorkie??

Wouldnt mind the video though? 8)

[Goldie]

It's well seeing most of you are all suffering from the moulting blues, you are all bonkers :lol: the only time I would get caught walking a secretary bird is if she were tall, blonde, nice figure and big **** crikey I'm getting as bad as you lot :lol: :lol:

[Bubo]

yeah just imagine it stamping on the yorkies http://yelims5.free.fr/TopOuNul/Super14.gif i hate those dogs along with the poodles :evil:

[741HCR]

Might be a bit heavy, but it would be very entertaining to walk round with it on your first as the top of its legs would be above your head.

[Bubo]

you're right varmint this is a daft idea

[ColdZero]

i don't think its daft, i bet a lot of people think going out in the freezing cold squinting around looking for a falcon 1000ft up is daft...well they have a point actually...i don't know where i'm going with this anymore.
ummm oh yeah,
A secretary bird would definitley follow, but i wouldn't trust it near anything kickable and breakable, like childrens eyes.

[Miguel]

If the bird could keep up with the speed of a family walk it would be very entertaining but I have a feeling they are going to plod a bit too slowly.

The problem it's not the bird keeping up with your speed... It's you who need to keep up with him! They're really fast (they run a lot), and they can kick pretty hard... and not only snakes!

One other tought: secretary birds cost around 4000€ (something like 2,730 GBP), a litlle bit more then most dogs... :?

But, if you decide to give it a try, keep us updated...

[741HCR]

'Atomick' - you sound like you know this bird and from what you say, it seems like my idea is seriously flawed if it is going to take out my children in the process. Pity.

Thanks for price information. That is the first price indication I have had.

That is one huge Harpy. Love the picture of it coming to your fist. I am envious.

Have not given up on the Secretary Bird as yet.

[Miguel]

I've worked with 2 of them in shows... They are really cool and fun to work with, but I don't know how they would react and behave in an "domestic" environment!? Don't know if imprints are better for your purpose...

Well, as I said, you can always give it a try... We're here to help

[Shaun Byrne]

Why not go the whole hog and try a Casawary?

[Gaz]

Shamus,how could you take a stew for a walk :?: :butthead:

[741HCR]

Why not go the whole hog and try a Casawary?

A Casawary? Is that the thing that looks like an Emu with a hard hat?

I've worked with 2 of them in shows

I will investigate further but it sounds like my Secretary Bird is not going to happen. Thanks for all your "from experience" advice.

[Miguel]

A Casawary? Is that the thing that looks like an Emu with a hard hat?

Yep...

http://www.forestdata.com/casuwary.JPG

Sorry about the bad news... :oops:

[741HCR]

So do you have a Casawary too Atomic?

Still like that Harpy loads. It's enormous.

[Miguel]

No I don't have any casawary... LOL
I only saw a few in zoo's

Yeah, she's big, around 7Kg or so... :)

[ColdZero]

casawrys are super-territorial. They were on tv attacking steve-o, need more than a falconry glove to get one of those ******s.

[Miguel]

LOL Steve-O is crazy!! But you're right, it takes more then a glove... Those feets must be powerful!

[EagleInYarak]

cassowaries jump up and simultaneously kick with both feet that is armed with 5-inch long claws