TAKING A SNAKE FROM THE GRASS

This bird, the Red-legged Seriema (Seriema cristata) has just bagged his lunch, a Smooth Machete Savane (Chironius scurrulus). The snake's genus is endemic to South America, as is the bird's; however, one might note some similarities to the Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata) and other bustards. That is because they are in fact in the same order, the Gruiformes, along with rails. Speaking of Houbara, I am working on a painting of one meeting a Saker, so there may be an opportunity to compare these two Gruiformes. The individual feather patterning and facial feathering are strikingly similar. Diet and other factors are also shared, so it may be said that the seriemas are a New World equivalent of the bustards.

GAME FOR A SAKER

This stork is making his exit, thanks to the as yet unpainted Saker (top left). It may have a stay of execution though, as other projects are more in hand, and so it may remain in limbo. Storks are not a Saker's usual prey, they do take large birds, but in the wild usually only up to ducks.