The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a large bird of prey endemic to the African continent. This raptor is classified in its own family, Sagittariidae, highlighting its evolutionary separation from other birds of prey. It is characterized by an eagle-like body set atop exceptionally long, crane-like legs, which gives it a standing height of up to four feet. The bird also sports a flattened crest of long, black feathers at the back of its head. Unlike most raptors, which hunt from the air, the Secretary Bird is a terrestrial hunter, spending the vast majority of its time stalking prey on the ground.
Geographic Distribution Across the Continent
The distribution of the Secretary Bird spans a range across Sub-Saharan Africa. This range extends from Senegal and Mauritania in the west to Somalia and Sudan in the east, and southwards all the way to the tip of South Africa. It is found across numerous countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.
The species is largely absent from two major biomes: the dense, deep rainforests of Central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin, and the arid deserts of North Africa. Its presence is therefore scattered across the continent, following the availability of suitable open landscapes. While generally non-migratory, individual birds may exhibit local nomadic movements, especially in arid areas, to follow rainfall and the resulting abundance of food.
Defining the Secretary Bird’s Habitat
The Secretary Bird’s preference is for environments that facilitate its cursorial hunting style. It requires open landscapes with low vegetation, primarily inhabiting open plains, savannas, semi-arid grasslands, and scrubland. This open terrain is crucial because it allows the bird to walk long distances—often up to 20 miles a day—and maintain clear visibility to spot small prey.
The bird actively avoids areas where grass is taller than about one meter, as dense or tall cover impedes its hunting movements and sightlines. Its long legs are covered in thick scales, providing protection while it strides through the brush and delivers powerful, stomping kicks to dispatch prey. The species is found at elevations ranging from sea-level up to 3,000 meters, provided the open habitat requirements are met.
Breeding behavior also ties the bird to specific habitat features. Secretary Birds construct their large, flattened stick nests in the crowns of trees. They typically choose flat-topped acacia or other thorny trees, placing the nest high up, usually between three and seven and a half meters above the ground. These isolated trees offer a stable platform for the nest and a vantage point for the parents.
Conservation Status and Range Reduction
Although the historical distribution of the Secretary Bird was vast, its range is becoming increasingly fragmented and localized. The species is currently listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting a rapid decline in its total population across Africa. Long-term studies in South Africa have shown significant population reductions, even within protected areas.
The primary threat to the Secretary Bird is habitat loss and degradation. Vast stretches of open grassland and savanna are being converted for agricultural use and human settlement, directly eliminating the bird’s required hunting grounds. The species faces several specific threats:
- Overgrazing by livestock can degrade the habitat.
- The encroachment of woody vegetation into grasslands also renders areas unsuitable for the terrestrial raptor.
- Collisions with new infrastructure, such as power lines and fences, which impact its movement across the landscape.
This degradation and fragmentation means the bird’s presence is increasingly restricted to large, well-managed protected zones. The current reality of where the Secretary Bird lives is a shrinking, discontinuous network of open spaces under constant pressure.