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What is a Secretary Bird?

Steve R.
Steve R.

A relative of the buzzard and vulture, the secretary bird is a long-legged, mostly white bird that stands about four feet (about 1.2 meters) high and weighs five to nine pounds (about 2.3 to 4.3 kg). Found commonly in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, the bird makes its home in savannas. The secretary bird is believed to be named for its resemblance to European male secretaries of the 1800s who sported gray tailcoats, dark pants, and carried quill pens behind their ears. The bird sports many of the same characteristics, with its black feathers on its legs that resemble pants and dark quills behind its ears.

While capable of flight, the secretary bird spends more time on foot, especially to catch food. Often traveling in pairs, the birds are capable of covering more than 20 miles (about 32 km) in a single day. The bird's diet consists of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other birds. A bird of prey, the secretary bird uses its speed to chase down creatures and then will uses its bill or feet as a weapon. After stunning its prey, the bird then swallows its food.

The secretary bird is believed to be named after its resemblance to European male secretaries with quill pens behind their ears.
The secretary bird is believed to be named after its resemblance to European male secretaries with quill pens behind their ears.

Known by the scientific name Sagittarius serpentarius, which translates to the archer of the snake, the secretary bird is especially noted for its hunting of snakes, even venomous ones. The bird will clutch a snake with its powerful toes and then thrash it on the ground. The bird is also an opportunist when seeking food. After a fire in the savanna, the bird will rummage through the debris for any small creatures that were caught in the fire.

Males will attract mates by soaring high into the sky and then quickly plunging down. When males and females pair up, they often make croaking noises and then become mates for life. Territorial creatures, the birds will make a nest in the same area annually and will continue to add sticks, leaves, animal fur, and grass to their nests. Nests, which can reach up to eight feet (about 2.4 meters) in length, are often built in the top of acacia trees.

A female will typically lay one to three eggs. Eggs take less than 50 days to hatch. The parents will directly feed insects and tiny animals to their young. In a little over a month, the babies are capable of eating on their own. Within two months, the young are able to fly and hunt for themselves. Once self-sufficient, the young birds will leave their nest. In the wild, the secretary bird can live up to 15 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Secretary Bird and where can it be found?

The Secretary Bird is a large, terrestrial bird of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa. It stands out with its long legs, eagle-like body, and distinctive crest of long feathers that resemble quill pens behind its head. These birds are typically found in open grasslands and savannas where they can spot and hunt their prey.

What does the Secretary Bird eat and how does it hunt?

Secretary Birds are carnivorous and specialize in hunting snakes, including venomous species. They also consume other small mammals, insects, and birds. They hunt on foot, using their long legs to stride across the savanna and their powerful feet to stamp on or kick their prey to death before swallowing it whole.

How did the Secretary Bird get its name?

The Secretary Bird's name is believed to come from the 1800s when European settlers observed the bird's quill-like feathers and thought they resembled the quills that secretaries once used for writing. Additionally, the bird's Arabic name 'saqr-et-tair' translates to 'hunter bird,' which may have been misinterpreted as 'secretary.'

Is the Secretary Bird capable of flight?

Yes, despite their preference for hunting on the ground, Secretary Birds are capable of flight. They have large wingspans that can reach up to 2.2 meters, allowing them to soar high when necessary. Flight is typically used for traveling long distances, escaping predators, or reaching their nests built high in acacia trees.

What is the conservation status of the Secretary Bird?

As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, the Secretary Bird is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and other factors have led to a decline in their population across their natural range in Africa.

How do Secretary Birds reproduce and raise their young?

Secretary Birds are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. They build large nests in the tops of thorny trees where they lay two to three eggs. Both parents share incubation duties for about 45 days. After hatching, chicks are fed by their parents and fledge at around 80 days, though they may remain dependent for several months.

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    • The secretary bird is believed to be named after its resemblance to European male secretaries with quill pens behind their ears.
      By: Nejron Photo
      The secretary bird is believed to be named after its resemblance to European male secretaries with quill pens behind their ears.