Secretarybird - (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Nowhere near as large as an ostrich, these guys are still rather big and in many ways resemble raptor-type dinosaurs. They look quite regal as they walk along - spending most of their time on the ground.

Also trying to figure out what it is at the top of the tree in the first picture - didn't spot it until looking at the picture just now whilst selecting what to upload. If anyone who sees this has an idea it would be good to know (I suspect it could be another Secratary bird though very hard for me to tell).

They are quite beautiful and it is unusual to see such an eagle-esque head on such long legs

Apparently they fly as well, but that wasn't something I recall witnessing. And occasionally kill gazelles and cheetah cubs... Yeh... Proper carnivores.

I miss Africa.

Hildebrandt's starling

Saw plenty of these guys flitting about on our recent travels through Kenya.

The Hildebrand's starling (Lamoritirnis hildebrandti) is far from endangered as it stands - as was evidenced by their near constant presence.

Ranging from Ethiopia and Somalia to Kenya and Tanzania at relatively high altitude they look almost like groups of iridescent gems appearing and disappearing around you. Very tough to catch on camera in flight as the photos below will attest - managed to lure one to a chair nearby (apologies to the conservationists).

They are thought to feed primarily on insects and fruit though are also known to consume seeds (and anecdotally - potatoes) in pairs or small flocks.