Bird · GBIF taxon 5229409
Secretarybird
Sagittarius serpentariusAlso known as Secretary Bird
Stalking African grasslands on exceptionally long legs, Secretarybirds hunt venomous snakes and small mammals by delivering rapid, bone-shattering stomps. Their distinctive crest plumes, bare orange facial skin, and black tail feathers give them an unmistakable appearance as they stride across open country in search of prey. Pairs maintain extensive territories, building broad stick nests on top of flat-topped acacias where they return to sleep each evening.
DiurnalTerrestrialPredator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Snakes
- Rodents
- Lizards
Predators
- Lions
- Leopards
- Large eagles
ThreatsHabitat loss, land degradation, powerline collisions, nest disturbance
HabitatsOpen grasslands, savannas, open bushveld
Life span10 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilySagittariidae
- GenusSagittarius
- SpeciesSagittarius serpentarius
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Unmistakable tall raptor with black crest feathers, long legs, and orange facial skin.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly from safari vehicles without approaching active stick nests in low acacias.
Responsible observation
- Savanna Scanning: Look for tall, crane-like silhouettes pacing deliberately through open grassland.
- Maintain Distance: Keep vehicles on established tracks to avoid flushing foraging pairs.
- Roost Respect: Avoid approaching low acacia trees at dusk where birds gather to sleep.
Co-Occurring Raptor (c) Dan Harville, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Dan Harville · cc-by-sa
Prey 
Order Relative (c) Derek Keats, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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