The secretary bird is a tall, long-legged bird of prey of African grasslands. It looks like a cross between an eagle and a crane, and hunts by striding through the grass and stamping on prey.
Interesting facts
- It is a bird of prey that hunts on foot, walking up to 20–30 km a day.
- Its name may come from its crest feathers, which look like quill pens tucked behind a clerk’s ear.
- It appears on the coats of arms of South Africa and Sudan.
- Its long legs are covered in thick scales that protect against snakebites.
- Secretary birds are the only living members of their family.
- They can fly well, soaring high on thermals.
Behaviour
Secretary birds are usually seen in pairs, walking through grassland in search of prey. They flush animals by stamping and then strike with precise kicks. At night they roost in the tops of trees.
Breeding and young
Pairs build large, flat nests on top of thorny trees. The female lays one to three eggs, which hatch after about six weeks. Chicks fledge after two to three months.
Threats and conservation
Loss and degradation of grasslands, collisions with power lines and fences, disturbance, and poisoning. Numbers have declined across much of Africa.
Where to see it
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
- Maasai Mara, Kenya
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa and Botswana
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
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