About
The Secretary Bird is one of the most distinctive raptors on Earth — a 1.3-meter-tall bird of prey that hunts on foot, striding through African grasslands on crane-like legs. Unlike virtually all other raptors, it dispatches prey by stomping with tremendous force — its kick delivers approximately 195 Newtons in just 15 milliseconds. This technique is devastatingly effective against venomous snakes. The Secretary Bird appears on the coat of arms of both South Africa and Sudan.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan
191–220 cm
Length
112–150 cm
Weight
2.3–4.6 kg
Ecology
Habitat
Open grasslands, savanna, scrubland
Diet
Snakes (including venomous species), lizards, small mammals, insects, birds
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa — from Senegal to Somalia, south to South Africa