“…and today we’re talking about a bird that knows your schedule. But not really.”
The combination of a velociraptor and an HR manager somehow produced a pretty elegant bird with a mean left hook. The secretary bird struts across the African savanna with confidence that is definitely well-earned. Long-legged, laser-focused, and lighting-fast, this feathered fighter can shoot with the best of ‘em. But sometimes, the best defense is simply being able to kick your problems away like the Secretary Bird here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Description
The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a tall, striking bird of prey that looks like a cross between an eagle and a crane.
It has long legs, a slender neck, and a small hooked beak.
Its body is covered in pale gray feathers with black wing and tail feathers, while a distinctive crest of long black feathers sticks out from the back of its head like quill pens.
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com.
Height: 3.9–4.9 ft (1.2–1.5 m)
Wingspan: 6.2–6.9 ft (1.9–2.1 m)
They stand 4 to 5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) tall.
A blue wildebeest (also known as the white-bearded wildebeest) is a large antelope species native to eastern and southern Africa. True or False – A blue wildebeest stands about one secretary bird tall at the shoulder.
True. They are 4–5 feet at the shoulder.
Weight: 5–10.5 lb (2.3–4.8 kg)
A butternut squash is a type of winter squash known for its bell-like shape, tan skin, and sweet, nutty orange flesh. True or False – an average large butternut squash is about the weight of a secretary bird.
False. A butternut squash is 2 to 3 pounds on average. Though the largest ever was over 130 pounds…
Fast Facts
Although it’s a bird of prey, it behaves more like a terrestrial hunter than an eagle or hawk.
They spend most of their time on the ground walking around on exceptionally long legs. Those legs let it see over tall grass and cover up to 20–30 km (12–19 miles) on foot in a single day while searching for prey.
Even though secretary birds spend the majority of the day on the ground, they are also strong fliers. They soar on thermals much like eagles and vultures, although they need a running start to become airborne.
They eat mostly live prey…
- Rodents
- Lizards
- Birds and eggs
- Large insects
- Rabbits and hares
- Amphibians
Why are they called Secretary?
We aren’t sure but there are theories:
- One theory is that the black crest feathers resemble quill pens tucked behind the ears of 19th-century secretaries.
- Another suggests it comes from the Arabic phrase saqr-et-tair, meaning “hunter bird,” which may have been altered over time.
Pairs often stay together for years and defend large territories. During courtship they’ll perform aerial displays and mutual calling before breeding.
The secretary bird appears on the coat of arms of South Africa, where its outstretched wings symbolize protection and growth.
Major Fact: Stop, Hammertoe (Can You Take Me Hi-Yah!)
- The secretary bird specializes in killing snakes and other dangerous prey by delivering incredibly fast, downward kicks with its long, powerful legs.
- A single strike can generate enough force to stun or kill prey almost instantly, with kicks occurring in just milliseconds.
- Its long legs let it stay safely out of striking range while venomous snakes attempt to bite.
- Unlike many raptors that rely primarily on talons, the secretary bird uses its feet like feathered sledgehammers before grabbing the victim.
- It often stomps repeatedly, ensuring the prey is thoroughly incapacitated before swallowing it whole or tearing it apart.
- This strategy allows it to hunt highly venomous species like cobras and puff adders with surprisingly little risk.
- Thick scales on the legs provide an extra layer of protection against bites during these high-stakes encounters.
- The bird’s exceptional eyesight helps it spot movement in tall grass before closing in for the attack.
- By controlling snake populations, secretary birds play an important ecological role in maintaining balance across African grasslands.
- Watching one hunt looks less like birdwatching and more like witnessing a goofy martial art.
Ending
So wind up your danger dogs, make sure you stretch, and deliver a roundhouse kick to face of the harbinger of evil like the secretary bird here in LDT.