The Hawk Conservancy Trust is home to Angola the Secretary Bird. Perhaps the most famous Secretary Bird on the planet!
Angola has lived here in the heart of the Hampshire countryside nearly his whole life. If you have visited the Trust before, he needs very little introduction as he is a huge star in our summer flying display: Wings of Africa. It’s during this display that he shows off the Secretary Bird’s iconic way of hunting and dispatching their prey – an almighty kick.
Our research shows that Secretary Birds can kick with five times the force of their own body weight! Angola demonstrates this skill to thousands of visitors each year, by giving a trusty rubber snake a good stomp with a kick faster than the blink of an eye. It’s not surprising with that we go through several of Angola’s rubber snakes every year!
Despite his awesome power, Angola himself is a sensitive chap. He enjoys spending time basking in the summer sunshine on the beds made especially for him in his aviary by our expert Bird Team. Hear more about how we’re helping wild Secretary Birds below!
You can come see Angola’s incredible kicking skills in person at our Wings of Africa flying display, which is on everyday as part of our jam-packed summer timetable!
When Angola first joined us a few years ago, Bird Team member Mike got on camera to introduce him to everybody!
Angola could be the most famous Secretary Bird in the world! More than once he has ‘broken the internet’, amassing millions of views with his iconic hunting prowess.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust has been invited to join the Species Committee for the Secretary Bird breeding programme. This important initiative, led by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), brings together experts to guide the long-term conservation and management of this Endangered species.
The Secretary Bird population is in decline, with habitat loss and other threats pushing them closer to extinction. As one of the only collections in the world to showcase these incredible birds in free-flight demonstrations, our specialist Bird Team will bring expert advice on pairing, housing and husbandry. Their expertise and experience will help ensure that any future breeding pairs are given the best possible environment to form strong bonds, breed successfully and hopefully raise the next generation of Secretary Birds.
Assuming love does blossom for Angola in the future, the Trust could be an option for providing a home and a safe space for the breeding pair to rear young Secretary Birds and support the conservation of this remarkable species.
Love Secretary Birds? Adopt Angola and help us continue our work to conserve birds of prey and their habitats in the UK and overseas!
From soft toys to pin badges, shop our Secretary Bird merch and take home your very own Angola memento that supports our conservation work.
You can come see Angola’s incredible kicking skills in person at our Wings of Africa flying display, which is on everyday as part of our jam-packed summer timetable!
Never tire of watching Angola in our Wings of Africa flying display? Why not become a Member and enjoy unlimited visits to see your favourite bird in action?! Plus you can enjoy other Membership benefits, all while supporting our work to conserve birds of prey and their habitats.
