Sagittarius serpentarius
The Secretarybird is a striking, long-legged raptor with a distinctive eagle-like head and a crest of black feathers. Its body is predominantly grey, with black flight feathers and thighs. The face is bare and red-orange, contrasting with its grey beak.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles having a duller plumage and shorter crest feathers. The bird's most notable feature is its long, pink legs, which give it a unique stance among raptors.
Length
112cm to 150cm
Wingspan
191cm to 215cm
Weight
2.3kg to 4.27kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey Black
Secondary Colour
White Yellow Red Orange
Beak Colour
Grey
Leg Colour
Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Secretarybirds inhabit open grasslands, savannahs, and lightly wooded areas across sub-Saharan Africa. They prefer areas with short grass and scattered trees or shrubs, which provide both hunting grounds and nesting sites.
Their range extends from Senegal to Somalia and south to South Africa. They are non-migratory but may make local movements in response to food availability and rainfall patterns.
Up to 3,000 meters
Tropical, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Secretarybird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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