2006 - The Secretary Bird, Birds of Prey Series
(R2 Silver & 2½c Tickey)
In 2003, the theme “South Africa's
Birds of Prey”, commenced. The “African Eagles” were the first to be depicted,
followed in 2004 by the “African Owls” and in 2005 by the “African Vultures”.
In 2006 the last raptor in this series, the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), is featured.
Secretary Birds are usually
seen in pairs and if alone, there is often a mate not far off. The Secretary
Bird enjoys a great measure of protection because of its habit of killing
snakes. The birds are not immune to snake venom and must take care to ensure
that the snake is dead before eating it whole, if it is small enough. In fact
snakes form only a small part of it’s diet although it
will attack any snake regardless of danger. Its diet consists mainly of
lizards, small tortoises, mice, the young of game
birds, grasshoppers and even termites.
If disturbed the birds
prefer to stalk rapidly away from danger or run with wings spread, but if
threatened they will take off and can fly strongly. They soar well and have
been seen rising on thermals up to nearly 4 000m. Secretary Birds are silent
creatures, occasionally uttering guttural croaks. Their displays consist of one
or two birds soaring in wide circles or executing undulating swoops followed by
downward plunges, the two often clasping each others talons in the manner of
eagles. Man's activities, such as agriculture and land development on the one
hand, have been detrimental to their populations, but widespread bush
clearance, on the other hand, has opened up new areas of suitable habitat.
|
Face
value
|
Theme
|
Maximum
mintage
|
|
R2
Sterling silver
|
Secretary
Birds
|
3000
|
|
2 ½ c
sterling silver
|
Head of Secretary
Bird
|
3000
|
|
Combination
set
|
Two
coin set
|
1000
|
ARTIST
L Guerra, artist at the South African Mint designed the reverse of the R2 -
Crown sterling silver and 2½ c - Tickey sterling
silver
ENGRAVERS
The obverse design for the R2 sterling silver coin was engraved by the South
African Mint’s former chief die-engraver, Arthur Sutherland and obverse design
for the 2 ½ c tickey sterling silver coin was
engraved by K Gray. South African Mint resident die-engravers, C Moses engraved
the R2 sterling silver coin reverse design and A Minnie the 2 ½ c tickey sterling silver coin reverse design
