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Sagittariidae - Secretary Bird

 

Classification

 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Aves
 Order: Accipitriformes
 Family: Sagittariidae

Secretary birdThere is one species in this family. The secretary bird is found on the open steppes and savannahs of east Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is a strange-looking bird! It stands about four feet tall and has very long legs that have feathers down to the knees. This makes the secretary bird look like it is wearing breeches! It is gray from its head to its chest. It has a black crest of feathers that runs down its back. It has black wing and tail feathers.

It has a curved gray bill edged in yellow and reddish-orange skin around its large eyes. It eats small mammals, large insects, young birds, lizards and snakes. It stomps its prey to death with its long legs. The secretary bird usually lives in pairs. It nests and roosts in trees and is a graceful flier and very good runner!

gallerySagittariidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in the Wild extinctExtinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in US Endangered in NH Endangered in NH breeds in nh Breeds in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

  New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

None   None

Other Species Around the World

Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North/Central America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH Species

Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius endangered Africa image More Info

   

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius profile Photos Africa endangered
The secretarybird is found in Africa south of the Sahara.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius profile Photos Video Audio Africa endangered
The secretarybird kills reptiles and small mammals with its long powerful legs.
Source: eBirds Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius profile Photos Africa endangered
The secretarybird has long, dark quills at the back of its head.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius profile Photos Africa endangered
The secretarybird is mostly terrestrial.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School