🦅 SECRETARY BIRD: THE STOMPING RAPTOR
PAGE 1 OF 5 — THE STOMPING RAPTOR
SAGITTARIUS SERPENTARIUS
A RAPTOR THAT WALKS
The secretary bird looks like no other bird of prey. Its scientific name is Sagittarius serpentarius, which means "archer of snakes." It has a grey body, long black tail feathers, and a spiky crest of cream-coloured feathers behind its head. Unlike eagles that swoop from the sky, secretary birds hunt mostly on foot across open African grasslands. They stand over a metre tall on legs so long they look like stilts. Those legs are not for show. They are built for walking miles each day and delivering crushing stomps to snakes, lizards, and small mammals hiding in the grass.
⚡ DID YOU KNOW?
Secretary birds are related to hawks and eagles, but they spend most of their hunting time walking on the ground instead of flying after prey.
RAPTOR!
CREST & BEAK
🪶 The spiky head crest looks like old quill pens stuck behind the ears, which may explain the "secretary" name.
🦅 A hooked beak finishes off prey that the powerful feet have already stunned or killed.
🦅 A hooked beak finishes off prey that the powerful feet have already stunned or killed.
LONG LEGS
🦵 Legs can be longer than the bird's whole body, giving a clear view over tall savanna grass.
👣 Those same legs deliver kicks faster than a snake can strike back.
👣 Those same legs deliver kicks faster than a snake can strike back.