The secretarybird is the only raptor on Earth that hunts almost entirely on foot — and it kills snakes by stomping them to death with a kick powerful enough to snap bone. Standing nearly a metre tall on long, crane-like legs, it strides across the open grassland like nothing else in the sky, and watching one work a patch of grass for prey is one of the more surprising spectacles on the East Africa safari circuit. Explore our Tanzania safaris for the best grassland birding routes.
Key Highlights
- The only bird of prey that hunts almost entirely on foot rather than from the air
- Kills snakes and other prey with a rapid, powerful stomping kick
- Its strike is fast enough to catch even quick-reacting snakes off guard
- Thick, scaled legs give it some protection against snakebite
- Forms long-term, monogamous pairs that reuse and enlarge the same nest for years
- Best seen on the open short-grass plains of the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Amboseli
A Raptor That Walks Instead of Flies
The secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is genuinely unusual among birds of prey — it stands nearly a metre tall on long, thin legs, weighs several kilograms, and does almost all of its hunting on foot, walking across open grassland scanning for prey rather than hunting from the air the way an eagle or hawk would. Its long, dark crest feathers, thought to have inspired its name from a resemblance to old-fashioned quill pens tucked behind an ear, also play a role in social signalling between mates and rivals.
It’s strictly a grassland specialist, found only in open savanna, lightly wooded plains, and grassland habitat across sub-Saharan Africa. Anywhere the classic safari circuit has open short-grass plains — the Serengeti, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East, and the floor of Ngorongoro Crater — the secretarybird is likely to turn up, but it’s entirely absent from forest and montane habitats.
A Kick That Kills
The secretarybird’s signature hunting technique is unlike anything else in the bird world: rather than grabbing prey with its talons, it delivers a rapid, powerful downward stomp with its foot, capable of crushing or incapacitating a snake, lizard, or small mammal in a single strike. The kick is fast enough that even a snake with quick reflexes often can’t react in time to strike back or escape.
This matters because a snake on open ground is at its most vulnerable — unlike prey attacked from the air, which can dive for cover the instant it detects an approaching raptor, a walking secretarybird gives its prey more warning, so the bird compensates with sheer speed and force of the kick itself. Its legs are also protected by thick, overlapping scales, offering some defence against a snake’s fangs in the event of a bite during the struggle.
Once prey is subdued, a secretarybird swallows it whole, head-first, and can handle surprisingly large snakes this way — the whole process from strike to swallowing takes only a matter of seconds.
A Devoted, Long-Term Pair
Secretarybirds form monogamous pairs that can stay together for many years, returning to the same nesting territory season after season. Pairs reinforce their bond with a striking aerial display, flying together in close, synchronised formation with matched wingbeats, and with regular mutual preening of each other’s head and crest feathers — grooming spots a bird simply can’t reach on its own.
Their nests are equally long-lived. Built from sticks and dry grass atop a flat-topped acacia or similar tree, a nest is reused and steadily enlarged year after year, sometimes growing into an enormous structure after many seasons of continuous use — one of the most stable, predictable nesting habits of any raptor in the region, which is part of why guides can often point visitors to a known, active nest site.
Where to See a Secretarybird
The Serengeti’s southeastern short-grass plains, around Ndutu, Naabi, and the Gol Kopjes, offer excellent sightings, especially during the wetter months when the plains support the highest prey density. The open sight lines of short grass make a striding secretarybird easy to spot from a good distance.
In Kenya, the Masai Mara’s Mara Triangle, north of the Sand River, is another strong option, particularly from September to November, and tends to see less vehicle traffic than the central Mara, giving a better chance to watch natural hunting behaviour undisturbed. Amboseli’s open grassland, especially around the Enkongo Narok swamp and Observation Hill, also regularly hosts resident pairs, particularly from September to January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the secretarybird unusual among raptors?
It’s the only bird of prey that hunts almost entirely on foot, walking across grassland and killing prey with a fast, powerful stomping kick rather than hunting from the air.
How does a secretarybird kill snakes?
It delivers a rapid, forceful stomp with its foot, fast enough to incapacitate a snake before it can bite back, and swallows the prey whole afterward.
Is a secretarybird protected against snake bites?
Its legs are covered in thick, overlapping scales that offer some protection against fang penetration, reducing the risk during a struggle with venomous prey.
Where is the best place to see a secretarybird?
The Serengeti’s southern short-grass plains, the Masai Mara’s Mara Triangle, and Amboseli’s open grassland all offer good sightings of secretarybirds hunting.
Plan Your Safari
Our safari specialists can build a Serengeti or Amboseli itinerary with time on the open plains for the best chance of watching a secretarybird hunt.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on your safari.
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