The African snake stomping bird, also known as the secretary bird, is a large terrestrial bird of prey native to Africa. It is notable for its long crane-like legs and its ability to stomp on and kill snakes and other reptiles. Secretary birds stand over 1 meter tall and can weigh up to 4 kilograms. They have gray feathers on their body with black flight feathers on their wings. Their head has a crest of long black feathers that gives them a distinctive profile.
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about the African snake stomping bird:
- Scientific name: Sagittarius serpentarius
- Average height: 3.3 feet (1 meter)
- Wingspan: 6.6 feet (2 meters)
- Average weight: 4-5 pounds (1.8-2.3 kilograms)
- Lifespan: 10-15 years in wild
- Habitat: Grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa
- Diet: Snakes, lizards, rodents, insects, eggs, small mammals
- Predators: Lions, hyenas, large raptors
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
Physical Description
The secretary bird has an unmistakable appearance. As mentioned above, it has long legs that allow it to see over tall grass while walking. Its wingspan is quite large, reaching over 2 meters, though its wings are relatively short for its body size. From beak to tail, secretary birds average around 1 meter in length. They have elongated rear toe claws called “spurs” that are around 5 cm long and likely used for self defense. Their most distinctive feature is the crest of black feathers on their head that sticks up behind their skull. These special feathers contain keratin, the same material found in hair and fingernails.
Coloration
Secretary birds have grayish feathers over most of their body. The flight feathers on their wings are black in color. Their head and neck are paler gray, transitioning into the black crest behind. Young secretary birds have darker feathers that get lighter as they mature. There are no significant differences in appearance between males and females.
Habitat and Range
Secretary birds are found exclusively in the grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. They range south of the Sahara Desert, through East Africa and down to the southern tip of the continent. They generally avoid swamps, dense forests and deserts. Secretary birds need open areas with shorter grasses and scattered trees or brush. This allows them to easily walk and spot prey while flying between trees.
Countries they inhabit
Some of the key African countries inhabited by secretary birds include:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
They are most populous in the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. Secretary birds have vanished from some parts of their former range due to habitat loss and hunting. Overall however, they have a widespread distribution across Africa.
Diet and Hunting
Secretary birds are diurnal hunters that eat a varied diet. Their main prey items are snakes, lizards and other reptiles. They also eat amphibians, small mammals like rodents and hares, insects, eggs, small birds and baby birds. Secretary birds are opportunistic predators that hunt whatever small animals they can capture.
Snake hunting adaptations
The secretary bird’s common name refers to its specialized snake-hunting abilities. They have excellent eyesight that allows them to spot snakes moving in grass from high up. Secretary birds will stomp on snakes with their feet, killing or immobilizing them before eating them. Their featherless legs avoid snakebites. They may also bludgeon snakes with their wings. This snake-stomping behavior is a rare ability among birds of prey.
Other hunting techniques
In addition to stomping on land animals, secretary birds also use more conventional raptor hunting tactics. They will swoop down on prey from flight. Sometimes they will chase prey on foot across open ground. Secretary birds are nimble runners. They also steal food from other birds and scavenge recently dead animals.
Reproduction and Family Life
Secretary birds mate for life with a single partner. When the breeding season arrives, pairs engage in elaborate courtship rituals. These include synchronized flying displays and males showing off nests they have built. Once a pair bond forms, the male and female remain lifelong partners.
Nesting
Secretary bird nests are large structures built high up in acacia trees. Pairs add sticks, twigs and grasses to an existing tree platform over the course of the breeding season. Nests can be 6 feet (2 meters) wide and 3 feet (1 meter) deep.
Raising young
Female secretary birds lay 1 to 3 eggs per clutch. Both parents incubate the eggs for around 45 days until they hatch. The young birds fledge the nest at 3 months old but remain with their parents for an extended period, often over a year. The parents teach the young how to hunt during this time. Secretary birds typically live alone or in breeding pairs rather than large flocks.
Conservation Status
Secretary birds have a conservation status of Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List. Their global population is estimated between 500,000 and 1 million individuals. While still relatively widespread, they face habitat degradation and hunting pressures across Africa.
Population trends
Secretary bird populations appear to be in decline in certain parts of their range, such as West Africa. However, they remain fairly common in protected areas and game reserves in eastern and southern Africa. Overall numbers are decreasing gradually.
Threats
Some of the major threats facing secretary birds are:
- Habitat loss from agriculture and development
- Reduced prey availability
- Hunting for decorative feathers
- Collision with power lines and vehicles
Conservation efforts aim to protect grassland habitats and limit illegal hunting in areas where secretary birds breed. Captive breeding programs may aid with reintroduction as well.
Fun Facts About Secretary Birds
Here are a few fun facts about these fascinating snake-stomping raptors:
- They got their name because their head crest resembles 19th century clerks with quill pens behind their ears.
- Secretary birds are in their own taxonomic family, Sagittariidae.
- Their Latin name means “archer of the snakes”
- Secretary birds cannot actually fly as well as other raptors, but they are great gliders.
- They are the national bird of Sudan.
- Pairs sometimes lock talons and spin in acrobatic mating displays.
- Young secretary birds play dead to avoid predator attacks.
Why Are Secretary Birds Important?
Although they are declining in some regions, secretary birds play an important role in their African grassland and savanna ecosystems. Here are some of the key reasons why they are important:
- They control populations of snakes, rodents and small carnivores.
- As predators high on the food chain, they maintain ecosystem balance.
- Scavenging by secretary birds helps recycle nutrients back into the food web.
- They disperse seeds and pollen between isolated trees and bushes.
- Secretary birds serve as an indicator species reflecting the health of their habitat.
- They have cultural and historical significance for Africans.
- Birdwatchers and eco-tourists enjoy spotting secretary birds, bringing in revenue.
By protecting savannas and grasslands, conserving secretary bird populations also conserves habitat for diverse wildlife species that share their ecosystem.
Conclusion
With its fierce snake-stomping abilities and striking visual profile, the secretary bird is one of Africa’s most distinctive avians. It is a highly adaptable bird of prey that fills an important niche in sub-Saharan ecosystems. While secretary birds still have a wide reach, continued habitat loss and hunting pressure puts their future at risk. Conservation measures aimed at protecting secretary birds will also preserve critical habitat for many other animal and plant species across Africa’s great grassland environments.
