Illustration of secretary bird
secretary bird
noun
: a large long-legged bird of prey (Sagittarius serpentarius of the family Sagittariidae) of sub-Saharan Africa that feeds largely on reptiles
Examples of secretary bird in a Sentence
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Escaping a sudden, massive flood, a smart, mischievous black cat clambers aboard a boat shared by a dog, a capybara, and a lemur, as well as a long-legged secretary bird.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 2 Mar. 2025
The presence of humans—mainly herders—is known to interfere with secretary bird breeding.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
While their signature feather crown and slender legs give these birds a regal air, the secretary bird is more mobster than monarch.
—Michael Cross; Story By Tom Page, CNN, 9 July 2020
The secretary bird is distinguished by its long legs and a dramatic black crest of feathers on the back of its head.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
The secretary bird is the tallest bird of prey in the world.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
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Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 2 Mar. 2025
The presence of humans—mainly herders—is known to interfere with secretary bird breeding.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
While their signature feather crown and slender legs give these birds a regal air, the secretary bird is more mobster than monarch.
—Michael Cross; Story By Tom Page, CNN, 9 July 2020
The secretary bird is distinguished by its long legs and a dramatic black crest of feathers on the back of its head.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
The secretary bird is the tallest bird of prey in the world.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Secretary bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretary%20bird. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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