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The secretarybird or secretary bird ( Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large bird of prey that is endemic to Africa. It is mostly terrestrial, spending most of its time on the ground, and is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region. John Frederick Miller described the species in 1779.
- No one is quite sure where it got its name. There are a few different theories, including that it was named by Dutch Settlers because of its resemblance to 19th Century Lawyers’ Secretaries.
- Its scientific name means “the archer of snakes”. This is because secretary birds love to hunt snakes. They use their large wingspan to distract the snake, while their scaley legs prevent snake bites.
- They rarely fly. They move around on foot most of the time, only taking to the air to reach their nests or for courtship displays.
- They have a wingspan of 2m. This is huge! They use their wings while hunting to distract their prey, and also during mating rituals.
Learn about the secretary bird, a large raptor that hunts on foot and has a distinctive black crest and tail. Find out how it mates, nests, and faces threats from habitat loss and human interference.
Learn about the secretary bird, a large raptor with a crest and a hooked beak that lives in sub-saharan Africa. Find out how it hunts snakes, builds nests, mates and is threatened by habitat loss.
Jun 3, 2024 · Learn about the secretary bird, the only living bird of prey of terrestrial habits, that hunts snakes and other prey on foot in Africa. Find out its features, diet, behavior, nesting, and conservation status.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about the secretary bird, a long-legged and crested raptor that hunts on foot in Africa. Find out how it catches snakes, builds nests, and communicates with its mate.
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Learn about the Secretarybird, a crane-like raptor with quill-like plumes and red facial skin. See photos, audio, and videos of this distinctive bird in different regions and habitats.
