Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Patrick Sherman
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Sagittarius serpentarius is sometimes solitary, but is more often found in pairs or family groups consisting of up to five individuals. Larger aggregations of secretary birds may form near an abundant food source or a watering hole, but these groups do not remain together long. Secretary birds become active about two hours after the sun has risen, when the grass is no longer wet with morning dew. These birds spend the day walking around and feeding until late afternoon, at which point they return to their roosts. Secretary birds prefer to walk rather than fly, and average about 20 to 30 km a day on foot. When hurried or confronted with a threat they run before taking flight. When they do fly, they fly well and often at great heights. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Steyn, 1983)

Home Range

A pair of secretary birds defends an area that can range from 20 to 500 square kilometers depending on the density of secretary birds and food resources in the area. Any conspecifics caught intruding in a pair's territory will be chased out forcefully. Sagittarius serpentarius is generally sedentary and will remain in its own territory, but they are sometimes nomadic. In most cases, these nomadic tendencies are caused by a search for food. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Steyn, 1983)

Communication and Perception

Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Patrick Sherman
Some rights reserved

Secretary birds are generally silent. When they do call, they typically give a deep, trisyllabic croaking wail that can be heard for quite some distance. This call, along with a drawn-out growling sound, is used in conjunction with aerial and ground displays during the courtship process. A softer version of the main call is used when feeding young. An occasional whistle is given from time to time. The young have their own calls to solicit food from their parents, which start off as a quiet squealing, then becoming a loud 'chok-a-chok-a-chok-a-chok'. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Hosking, Hosking, and Flegg, 1988; Mackworth-Praed and Grant, 1980; Steyn, 1983)