Secretarybird Bird Facts (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

112cm to 150cm

Wingspan

191cm to 215cm

Weight

2.3kg to 4.27kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey Black

Secondary Colour

White Yellow Red Orange

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Secretarybird can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Secretarybird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Secretarybird can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte D'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gambia Ghana Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho Malawi Mali Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Senegal Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Liberia Rwanda

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Exceptional agility demonstrated through precise hunting movements, particularly in their ability to deliver accurate kicks whilst maintaining balance. Their aerial courtship displays and ability to navigate both terrestrial and aerial environments showcase remarkable coordination.

Strength 78

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Impressive strength evidenced by their ability to deliver kicks with force up to five times their body weight. Their large size (up to 4.27kg) and capability to successfully hunt and kill venomous snakes and other substantial prey demonstrates considerable physical power.

Adaptability 65

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Moderate adaptability shown through their ability to survive in various open habitats up to 3,000 metres elevation. However, their specialised hunting technique and specific habitat requirements (open grasslands with scattered trees) suggest some limitations in adaptability.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Notable aggression displayed in hunting behaviour, particularly in their direct confrontational approach to dangerous prey like venomous snakes. However, they're generally non-confrontational with their own species, typically being solitary or found in pairs.

Endurance 82

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Strong endurance capabilities demonstrated through their primarily terrestrial lifestyle, spending long periods walking and hunting across extensive territories. Their ability to maintain lengthy hunting sessions and deliver powerful, repeated kicks indicates substantial stamina.

Diet

Secretarybirds are carnivorous, primarily feeding on small mammals, snakes, lizards, and large insects.

They are renowned for their ability to catch and kill venomous snakes, using their long legs to stomp and crush their prey. They may also occasionally consume bird eggs and chicks.

Behaviour

Secretarybirds are primarily terrestrial, spending most of their time walking on the ground in search of prey. They are known for their unique hunting technique of stomping on prey with their powerful legs to stun or kill it.

These birds are usually solitary or found in pairs but may gather in small groups at waterholes.

Vocalisation

Secretarybirds are generally silent, but during breeding season, they produce deep, guttural croaking sounds. These vocalisations are often accompanied by head-bobbing displays.

When alarmed, they may emit a softer, hissing sound. Their wings also make a distinctive swooshing noise during flight.

Nesting & Breeding

Secretarybirds form monogamous pairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays, including aerial acrobatics and mutual preening. Breeding typically occurs during the dry season when the grass is shorter, facilitating hunting.

Nests are large, flat platforms of sticks built in the tops of thorny trees or dense bushes. The female usually lays 1-3 pale green eggs with brown spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 45 days. Chicks fledge at around 65-80 days old but remain dependent on their parents for several more months, learning crucial hunting skills.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Endangered ^[1]

The Secretarybird is listed as Endangered due to rapid population declines across its range. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation are the primary threats. Collisions with power lines and fences also contribute to mortality.

Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and reducing human-wildlife conflicts.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

6,700 - 67,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Secretary Bird

Family:

Sagittariidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Max Lifespan

19 years ^[4]

Predators

Adult Secretarybirds have few natural predators due to their size and defensive capabilities. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to eagles, large owls, and mammalian carnivores like jackals.

Did You Know?

The Secretarybird got its name from its crest of long feathers, which resemble quill pens that secretaries once tucked behind their ears.
It is the only member of its family, Sagittariidae, and is not closely related to other birds of prey.
Secretarybirds can deliver a kick with a force up to five times their body weight, effectively stunning or killing their prey.