Physical characteristics:

Secretary birds have a length of between 1.1 and 1.5 m (3 feet 7 in and 4 feet 11 in) and a wingspan of between 1.9 and 2.1 m (6 feet 3 in and 6 feet 11 in). weighing about 10 pounds. They may not look like they fly but they do.

Habitat:

Secretary birds live in the African savannas and grasslands. They specifically live in the south of Africa below the equator but some of the population live above the equator. They nest in large trees near water and food.

Diet:

Secretary birds are carnivores like all raptors. The eat lizards, small rodents, amphibians, and even snakes like black mambas which is one of the most dangerous snakes in all of Africa.

Life cycle:

Secretary birds survive for 10-15 years in the wild, but this can go up to 19-20 years in captivity. The babies do not have those cool head feathers. A Secretary bird lays on 1 to 3 eggs.

Evolution:

I believe that Secretary birds evolved from a smaller snake eating eagle about the size of a backpack. They couldn’t survive a venomous snakebite from a mamba so they grew bigger and with more scaly legs.

Fun facts:

1. A Secretary bird is also known as the Hunting bird.
2. Some can grow up to be 5 feet tall.
3. They have a orange face because they can see in to the sun.