Instagram – Jun 04, 2022 @ 12:00
The Secretary bird (a.k.a Sagittarius Serpentarius) is a bird of prey found in Sub-Saharan African savannas, grasslands, and shrublands.
Their common name is assumed to have come from their resemblance to male secretaries in the 1800s. The crest of feathers on their head resembles a secretary with quill pens tucked behind his ears, and the gray wing and tail feathers compare to a tailcoat.
Their scientific name translates to Archer of Snakes due to their snake-hunting abilities. These striking birds are nearly four feet tall and move around mostly on foot.
Secretary birds were elevated from “vulnerable” to “endangered” on the IUCN list owing to evidence suggesting that their population is declining by over 90%. Habitat loss and deforestation are the main drivers of this decline.
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