 There is one species in this family. The secretary bird is found on the open steppes and savannahs of east Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is a strange-looking bird! It stands about four feet tall and has very long legs that have feathers down to the knees. This makes the secretary bird look like it is wearing breeches! It is gray from its head to its chest. It has a black crest of feathers that runs down its back. It has black wing and tail feathers.
It has a curved gray bill edged in yellow and reddish-orange skin around its large eyes. It eats small mammals, large insects, young birds, lizards and snakes. It stomps its prey to death with its long legs. The secretary bird usually lives in pairs. It nests and roosts in trees and is a graceful flier and very good runner!
 Sagittariidae Photo Gallery
World Status Key
 Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in the Wild  Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
 Threatened in US  Threatened in NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Breeds in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
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None
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Additional Information
Key:  Profile  Photos  Video  Audio
Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius 
The secretarybird is found in Africa south of the Sahara.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius
The secretarybird kills reptiles and small mammals with its long powerful legs.
Source: eBirds Cornell Lab of Ornithology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius
The secretarybird has long, dark quills at the back of its head.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius
The secretarybird is mostly terrestrial.
Source: EDGE Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
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Asia 
Australia/Oceania 
Europe 
North/Central America 
South America 
NH Species
