Fauna
Bird

Secretarybird

Sagittarius serpentarius

Also known as Secretary Bird

Secretarybirds stalk open African savannas on long, crane-like legs, searching the grass for prey. When striking venomous snakes or large insects, they deliver precise, high-force stamps with their talons while spreading their broad wings for balance and protection. Pairs construct flat twig nests atop thorny acacia trees and roost together year after year.

RaptorGrassland
Secretarybird reference1 / 7
(c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová · cc-by
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySnakes, Lizards, Grasshoppers
Predators
  • Leopard
  • Cheetah
  • Crowned Eagle
ThreatsHabitat loss, agricultural expansion, fire management, power line collisions
HabitatsOpen grasslands, savannas, sub-desert scrub
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. OrderAccipitriformes
  2. FamilySagittariidae
  3. GenusSagittarius
  4. SpeciesSagittarius serpentarius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of delivering swift, high-force kicks if cornered; observe from a safe distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by black quill-like crest feathers, bare orange facial skin, and extremely long pinkish legs.
Support conservation
Maintain a generous distance and remain in vehicles when watching to avoid disturbing feeding or nesting.
Responsible observation
  • Grassland Scanning: Look for tall, walking silhouettes striding through open savanna during daylight hours.
  • Maintain Distance: Observe from a safari vehicle to avoid flushing birds from their active hunting territories.
  • Protect Nest Trees: Keep away from flat-topped acacia trees where pairs construct large stick nests.
Related species
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