SECRETARY BIRD
Sagittarius serpentarius
BIRD
Order Falconiformes
Description
Note: This family is represented by
a single species and there is some discussion that this bird may be more
closely related to the Cranes--Gruiformes--than the Falconiformes. 3 feet
tall; wingspan up to 6.5 feet; 7.5-9 lbs. Blue gray beak; legs and feet
dull flesh colored; claws black. Sexes are nearly alike: male often slightly
smaller and a blue shade of grey with a longer crest and tail. A large grey
and black terrestrial bird with very long stork-like legs and 2 very long
projecting central tail feathers. Long, black -tipped plume feathers at
back of the head resemble quill- style pens used by secretaries prior to
the advent of
modern writing instruments.
Range
Africa south of the Sahara.
Status
Locally common but numbers are generally
decreasing throughout most of its range. The international trade of this
species is regulated by the law. Since it may become endangered without
regulated trade.
Photo © James P. Rown Photography |
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Ecology
- Habitat
- Semi-arid savannas, grassplains and sub-deserts.
-
- Niche
- Eats insects, amphibians, snakes, lizards, some
young birds and eggs, small ground rodents. Diurnal. Roosts and nests in
thorny trees. Not normally gregarious, but pairs are often together for
long periods.
Life History
Breeding occurs at different times, depending on
the amount of food available. 1-3 eggs are laid in a large flat nest built
of sticks with a grass-lined shallow depression. Male possibly incubates
in addition to the female. Eggs hatch in about 6 wks, are fed by both parents.
Young are covered in pale gray down and fledge at 2.5 - 3.5 mos.
Special Adaptations
- Long legs and stubby toes enable it to walk steadily
through the grassland, foraging and stamping to flush prey. They also are
able to kill prey with swift, hard downward blows of the feet.
- Curved, hooked beak allows it to carry prey to
the nest since it can't grasp prey in its feet very well.
- Broad wings enable it to fly and soar well, although
it spends more time walking and running.
- Strong beak enables it to take prey by a quick
forward thrust of the head.
- Legs are heavily armored against snake bites.
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