The African bird known for having multiple legs is called the secretarybird. The secretarybird is a large bird of prey that gets its name from the peculiar feather tufts on the back of its head that resemble the quill pens once carried behind the ears of secretaries. Despite its fierce appearance, the secretarybird is not closely related to other birds of prey. Instead, it is classified in a family of its own, Sagittariidae.
The most distinctive feature of the secretarybird is its long legs. Unlike most birds which have scales on their legs, the secretarybird’s legs are covered in feathers all the way down to its feet. This gives the illusion that the secretarybird has extra legs when it is standing on the ground. In reality, there are only two legs hidden beneath the feathers. The secretarybird uses its formidable legs to stomp its prey to death, earning it the nickname “Africa’s marching eagle.”
Description
The secretarybird is a large terrestrial bird that can reach up to 4 feet tall. Its body length ranges from 3 to 4 feet long and its wingspan stretches between 6.5 and 7.5 feet wide. Secretarybirds generally weigh between 5 and 13 pounds. They have long tails that can extend up to 2 feet. Their feather coloration is greyish-brown on the back and wings with a white underside and black thighs. The feathers on the head and neck give secretarybirds their distinctive “secretary” look. These specialized feathers can be raised into a crest. Secretarybirds have featherless red faces and long curved beaks that turn slightly downward. Their eyes are yellow with red rings around them.
Legs and Feet
The secretarybird’s most distinctive feature is its long legs, which account for over half its total height. The legs are feathered all the way down past the knee to the tarsus. The feathers help protect the legs from injury when stomping prey. Beneath the feathers, the legs are a bluish grey and very thick and strong. Secretarybirds have four toes on each foot – three facing forward and one facing back. The toes have thick padding and very long talons used for grabbing prey.
Wings and Flight
Secretarybirds have long broad wings suited for soaring flight. Their wingspan is wide compared to the overall length of their body. The wings are pointed and curve slightly backwards when extended. Secretarybirds need a lot of open space and a breeze to take flight. They can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour in flight. Their flight consists of slow flapping with long stretches of gliding. Secretarybirds are able to stay aloft for many hours, allowing them to cover large territories in search of food.
Behavior
Secretarybirds are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. They are also terrestrial, spending most of their time on the ground hunting and stalking prey. Secretarybirds are generally solitary, except when mating. They establish large territories, up to 19 square miles in size. Within their territories, secretarybirds walk slowly and methodically looking for prey. They are powerful and agile hunters capable of knocking down sizeable prey. Secretarybirds use their wings like rackets to catch insects in flight.
Diet
Secretarybirds are carnivores that feed on a wide variety of small animals. Their main prey items include insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and eggs. They occasionally eat carrion as well. Secretarybirds hunt by walking through open grasslands scanning the ground for movement. When they spot prey, they either catch it by running it down on foot or swoop down on it from short flights. Secretarybirds stomp larger prey to death and swallow smaller prey whole.
Reproduction
Secretarybirds mate for life. Breeding pairs work together to build large nests high up in the tops of acacia trees. The nests can measure up to 6.5 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The female lays between 2 to 3 eggs which hatch after 42 days. The chicks fledge the nest at 11 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for food for another 6 to 8 months. Secretarybirds only produce one clutch of eggs every 2 to 3 years. Their reproductive rate is slow compared to other birds of prey.
Habitat
Secretarybirds are found exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa in areas south of the Sahara Desert. They occupy open grassland habitats including savannas, bushlands, and veldts. Secretarybirds avoid dense forest areas, instead preferring sparse tree coverage with plenty of grass. They are well adapted to thrive in both wet and arid environments. Secretarybirds often perch on the tops of small trees and termite mounds to scan for prey.
Range
The secretarybirds has a wide range across Africa. Their geographic range stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia and Somalia and southwards through the continent all the way to South Africa. Secretarybirds have disappeared from certain parts of their former range, including much of South Africa. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the biggest threats to secretarybird populations.
Conservation Status
The secretarybird has been uplisted to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as of 2018. Their global population is estimated at just 130,000 mature individuals and continuing to decline. Secretarybirds are threatened by habitat conversion for agriculture, overgrazing, and brush fires. Collisions with power lines and illegal trapping for food and traditional medicine also threaten secretarybirds. Conservation efforts are needed to protect grassland habitat and limit additional threats.
Unique Traits
Here are some of the unique traits and adaptations of the secretarybird:
- Distinct feather tufts on the back of the head resemble quill pens stuck behind the ears, leading to the name “secretarybird.”
- Long feathered legs that create the illusion of extra legs from a distance.
- Talon-like feet with thick padding to protect legs when stomping.
- Ability to run up to 20 miles per hour in pursuit of prey.
- Skillful aerial hunting using wings like rackets to catch insects.
- Pairs mate for life and work together to build huge nests in the tree tops.
- Slow reproductive rate compared to similar sized birds of prey.
- Ability to thrive in diverse environments including savannas, bushlands, and semi-deserts.
Significance
The secretarybird holds a unique position in the ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa. As a top avian predator of grasslands, secretarybirds help regulate populations of small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Secretarybirds face threats across their range from habitat loss and fragmentation. They serve as an indicator species of the health of savanna ecosystems. Conservation measures focused on secretarybirds will help protect native grasslands and the many species that share this habitat type.
Conclusion
The secretarybird stands out as one of Africa’s most distinct avian predators. Its lanky, long-legged appearance gives it an unmistakable look. Beneath the seemingly ungainly exterior lies an effective and formidable hunter. Secretarybirds are well equipped to thrive in hot African climates. They play an integral role in food chains across sub-Saharan Africa. However, habitat destruction poses serious threats to secretarybird populations. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting native grasslands will be key to ensuring the secretarybirds’ survival far into the future.