Family - Sagittariidae Identification - Very large terrestrial bird of prey, weighing approximately 8lbs (4 kg) and standing over 39 in (1m) tall. Wing-span of just over 6ft 7in (2 m). Grey and black plumage, with long black feathers projecting behind the head which can be raised in a crest. Central tail feathers noticeably elongated. Long legs and neck, with hooked bill. Adults with orange faces, immatures with yellow faces. It had long been thought that the secretary bird derived its name from the resemblance of its crest feathers to the quill pens tucked behind the ears of 19th century scribes or clerks. In fact it is an adaptation of the Arabic 'saqr-et-tair' meaning 'hunter-bird'. Voice - Normally silent but sometimes utters a harsh frog-like croak. Habitat - Grasslands, open woodland and bush country. Endemic to Africa south of the Sahara. Habits - Diurnal. Commonly seen in pairs stalking across open country, crest raised like an Indian head-dress whilst hunting. Flies strongly and often soars to a great height. During courtship, circles high above the ground in an undulating display, uttering strange croaking cries or chases across the grasslands with wings outstretched in pursuit of its mate. Possesses a hard knob of skin on the underside of each foot with which it delivers a powerful and accurate blow to stun its prey, and is famed for its snake killing abilities. Roosts on top of thorn trees. Food - Large insects, particularly grasshoppers, rodents, the young and eggs of ground nesting birds and reptiles. Snakes make up only a small part of their diet. Nest - Large nest of sticks and turf, usually in a flat topped tree or thorn bush often at a considerable height from the ground. A breeding pair often return to the same nest site each year.