Secretarybird

It appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa.

The Secretarybird is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Secretarybird is omnivorous (taking food as varied as insects, small amphibians, lizards, plovers, chicks, mongooses, and rabbits) but they are renowned for eating snakes, including cobras and adders, which they stamp on or kick. The lower legs of Secretarybirds have heavy scales that may protect them while walking through the brush or when attacking their prey. More

Zimmerman of a Secretarybird (left) shows it in a characteristic stance in its most typical habitat. It is a large bird, standing nearly 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. The sexes are alike. The long legs are clothed in black "breeches" and those legs can produce a powerful kick which can disable most other animals, but the feet have very little grasping ability (Kemp 1994). More

The Secretarybird or Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara. Although a member of the order Accipitriformes, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards, vultures, and harriers, it is given its own family, Sagittariidae. It appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa. More

* Secretarybird in the Zoo of Münster. Germany Guido Bohn 30 April 2009 25 weeks ago 4.2 * Adult Secretarybird calling Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya ingwe24 26 September 2007 1 year ago 4 * A pair on a tree Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Monotypic species) Jean Hupperetz 30 September 2007 1 year ago 3. More

Secretarybird in the distance. Although we had seen many Secretarybirds over the previous few days, we stopped to take a closer look. Next to the Secretarybird was a brown bundle that morphed into a Tawny eagle as we watched. It took to the air and quickly flew to a nearby tree. Had we disturbed it? The Secretarybird immediately took a few steps forward and picked up a snake – it looked like a puffadder – that had been abandoned by the eagle. More

Information on the secretarybird is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly. Authentication - This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk References - 1. IUCN Red List (October, 2009) http://www.iucnredlist. More

Distribution of Secretarybird in southern Africa, based on statistical smoothing of the records from first SA Bird Atlas Project (© Animal Demography unit, University of Cape Town; smoothing by Birgit Erni and Francesca Little). Colours range from dark blue (most common) through to yellow (least common). See here for the latest distribution from the SABAP2. Predators and parasites It has been recorded as prey of Bubo lacteus (Verreaux's eagle-owl). More

Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius African Darter Anhinga rufa Congo Peacock Afropavo congensis Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor 6f 35 Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius 8f 33 More

the Secretarybird in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park * My Britannica NEW ARTICLE * ADD TO YOUR SITE * COMMENT * SAVE * * * * More

The Secretarybird has loose black feathers behind its head which probably gave it its name as quills were used before pens. The secretarybird walks through savanna grassland looking for insects, lizards, rodents and snakes. When the secretarybird finds prey it stamps on it with its powerful feet and then grabs the prey in its beak. The secretarybird roosts in the tops of trees. Stock photography of Secretarybird is available for immediate download from www.stock-photography.co.za. Stock photography of South Africa. More

The Secretarybird is a very distinctive bird, which is the sole member of the genus Sagittarius. It is only found in Africa, in the grass plains & steppes south of the Sahara. It is the only bird of prey predominantly terrestial habits, they may walk up to 20 miles in a day. Standing up to 4ft tall, it has very long legs, with black feathered thighs. More