Secretary Birds

Secretary birds are unusual birds of prey that live in Africa. They have very long legs and look a bit like an eagle on stilts. They walk across grasslands looking for food instead of flying. Secretary birds got their name from the long feathers on their heads that look like old-fashioned pen quills. They are fierce hunters of snakes.

Stomp Attack

Secretary birds kill their prey with powerful kicks from their long legs. They can stomp down with the force of a small hammer in less than a blink. This is how they kill venomous snakes without getting bitten. They also eat lizards, bugs, rats, and small birds. Scientists call them one of the best stompers in the animal kingdom.

Tall and Feathered

Secretary birds stand about 4 feet tall, which is taller than a preschool kid. They have gray feathers on their bodies and black feathers on their legs that look like shorts. Their faces are red and orange with no feathers. The long black feathers sticking out of the back of their heads can be raised when they get excited.

Grassland Homes

Secretary birds live in open grasslands and savannas across Africa. They walk up to 20 miles a day looking for food. At night, they fly up into the top of acacia trees to sleep. They build big flat nests made of sticks in the trees. Both parents take care of the chicks.

Fun Facts

• Secretary birds appear on the coat of arms of South Africa and Sudan.
• They can fly but prefer to walk everywhere.
• A secretary bird's legs are long enough to kick without being bitten by most snakes.

Did You Know?

Secretary birds are the only birds of prey that hunt mostly by walking on the ground instead of flying and swooping down.