Photo: © Ben Lunsford / CC BY-SA 3.0 us (Wikimedia Commons)
Secretarybird
Sagittarius serpentarius
Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a member of the Sagittariidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Sagittariidae Secretarybird
- Genus Sagittarius
- Species serpentarius
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4 kg
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Sagittariidae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Secretarybird preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Secretarybird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) belongs to the Sagittariidae family of the order Accipitriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 4 kg, with a wing length of about 61.6 cm and a tail of around 55.2 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 14 million km² — a very large global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Secretarybird?
The Secretarybird is a very large bird that weighs around 4 kg.
Where does the Secretarybird live?
The Secretarybird is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Secretarybird belong to?
The Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) belongs to the Sagittariidae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Secretarybird eat?
The Secretarybird preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Secretarybird migrate?
The Secretarybird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Secretarybird endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Secretarybird's range?
The Secretarybird has a mapped global range of about 14 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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