Secretary Bird in Dar es Salaam Zoo

Secretary Bird in Dar es Salaam Zoo Paddocks

This is the only member of the family Sagittariidae. It is a large bird of open country, savannah and steppe, which can be seen stalking across the plains in search of rodents, reptiles, large insects and, famously, snakes. It has a surprisingly powerful kick which it uses to stamp on larger prey. In addition to its normal "raptor" type diet it is also attracted to bush and grass fires, where it feeds on the small animals which fail to escape the blaze. Although it is usually seen walking it does have very large, broad wings and is an accomplished flyer, using thermals to gain height and soar across distances. Secretary Birds are territorial, normally occupying areas of around 45-50 square kilometres,