An African bird of prey that walks across grassland on long legs while hunting.
The body is mainly gray, with black-tipped crest feathers behind the head. The legs are very long, with black plumage over the upper part.
Secretarybirds search open ground for prey. In South Africa they use natural grassland and some pastures and farmland, with habitat use changing through the breeding cycle.
Satellite tracking begun in 2012 follows movements, including juvenile dispersal and adults’ use of nesting territories. Researchers also investigate interactions with powerlines, fences, roads and wind-energy developments.
Farmers and other local observers help locate nests. Information about nest trees, surrounding land and breeding outcomes informs habitat protection and development assessments.
Southern African Regional Red Data Book · Vulnerable (VU) · South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini
Habitat change, infrastructure collisions and disturbance are threats. South African tracking and nest monitoring help identify important habitat and assess development impacts.