The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a distinctive and large bird of prey, easily recognizable by its long, stilt-like legs and striking appearance. This African raptor spends most of its time hunting on the ground across the continent’s open grasslands and savannas. Its unusual common name has fascinated observers for centuries, pointing to a direct visual comparison with historical human figures.
The Visual Origin of the Name
The most widely accepted explanation for the Secretary Bird’s name connects its distinctive features to the attire and tools of 18th and 19th-century European clerks and office workers. These historical “secretaries” often tucked quill pens behind their ears while working. The bird’s prominent crest of long, black feathers projecting from the back of its head strongly resembles these tucked quills.
A second visual theory focuses on the bird’s overall silhouette and plumage, suggesting a resemblance to the secretary’s formal work clothing. The bird’s predominantly pale gray body plumage and long, black tail feathers evoke the gray tailcoats worn by these clerks. The black feathers covering the upper part of the bird’s long legs look like dark knee-length breeches, completing the comparison to a historical professional’s uniform. The name was likely coined by Europeans who first encountered the bird in the late 1700s. There is also a less common theory that the name is a corruption of the Arabic phrase “saqr et-tair,” meaning “hunter bird,” but the visual association remains the dominant explanation.
Unique Physical Traits and Habitat
The Secretary Bird is a monotypic species, the only member of its genus and family, Sagittariidae, highlighting its evolutionary distinctiveness among birds of prey. Its scientific name, Sagittarius serpentarius, translates to “the archer of snakes,” referencing its long-legged stature and primary prey. This raptor is the tallest in the world, standing up to 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) tall on its long, pinkish legs.
Despite its height, the Secretary Bird possesses an impressive wingspan that can stretch over 6.5 feet (2 meters). It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it inhabits open grasslands and savannas, avoiding dense forest and true desert environments. The bird’s long legs allow it to stride through tall grasses while maintaining a clear view of its surroundings and potential prey.
Hunting Techniques and Diet
Unlike most other raptors that hunt primarily from the air, the Secretary Bird is a terrestrial predator that walks up to 20 miles a day searching for food. It employs a distinctive walking gait, often stomping on the surrounding vegetation to flush out prey hidden in the grass. Once prey is located, the bird’s most famous hunting technique is its rapid, powerful stomp, delivered with its strong, scaled feet to stun or kill.
This method is particularly effective against snakes, including venomous ones like cobras and adders, which the bird attacks with strikes lasting only about 15 milliseconds. Scientific measurements show that the bird can strike with a force equal to five times its own body weight, using its speed and scaled legs for protection. The Secretary Bird’s diet is varied and includes insects, small mammals, lizards, tortoises, and eggs.