The secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, is a large, terrestrial bird of prey. Common in Africa, it is a non-migratory bird found in the open grasslands and the savannahs of the sub-Sahara.

Its name is said to have been derived from its crest of long quill-like feathers, which resemble a secretary with a quill tucked behind her ear as was once the practice. This bird has an eagle-like body mounted on crane-like legs. It can be as tall as 4 feet and weigh up to 3 kgs. It has a wide wingspan of 6.6 ft. An adult has a featherless red face as opposed to the yellow facial skin of a fledgeling.

Secretary birds hunt in pairs or as loose familial flocks, preying upon insects, mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds and dead animals. It has two distinct feeding strategies. It catches its prey by chasing it and striking it with its bill or by stamping on it until it is rendered unconscious.