Phylum
Chordata
Family
Sagittariidae
Class
Aves
Genus
Sagittarius
Order
Accipitriformes
Conservation Status
Endangered
Size
1.1-1.5 m tall, 2.3-4.5 kg; wingspan 1.9-2.1 m
Coloration
Grey with black flight feathers; orange face
Adaptations
Long legs for stomping prey; crane-like stance
Habitat
Grasslands, savannas
Diet
Carnivorous
Snakes, insects, small mammals
Geographic Range
Sub-Saharan Africa
Reproduction
1-3 eggs; incubation 42-46 days
Threats
Habitat loss, poisoning
Interesting Facts
Snake Slayer: Secretarybirds dispatch venomous snakes with precise, powerful stomps, using their long legs to deliver blows at 15 km/h, a technique that protects them from bites. This hunting style earned them their name, evoking a quill-wielding scribe.
Flightless Fighter: Though capable of flight, they prefer walking up to 20-30 km daily, conserving energy while patrolling vast territories for prey. Their terrestrial dominance makes them a unique raptor, blending bird-of-prey traits with ground prowess.
Best Places to Sight
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa/Botswana