It's the body of an eagle on the legs of a crane!
The secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)is a mishmash of parts, designed for hunting snakes, rodents, and insects. It often captures and kills its prey by stomping. Those legs make it a fierce snake-fighter!
With their ornate feathered headgear, secretarybirds are easily identified. They lope about sub-Saharan grasslands with speed. It also helps that they can stand more than one meter in height.
Sadly, habitat loss is pushing this marvelous creature toward extinction. It was added to the endangered species list in 2020.
See a secretarybird for yourself in 2026. Join us on an African safari.