Secretary bird at Sossusvlei

The Secretarybird, (Sagittarius serpentarius), is a raptor endemic to Africa and widespread in southern Africa. Their preferred habitats include savanna and open grassland from low to high altitudes. It avoids thick bushes and forests. They nest and roost in trees in open habitat, coming down to the ground at sunrise in search of invertebrates and any vertebrate prey (including venomous snakes) that they can overpower.

Unlike many other raptors in the region, they are active during the hotter parts of the day when their preferred prey is active. They are not carrions, but can be attracted to bush fires for fleeing insects and other small animals.

Even though they are found in low altitudes, the low lying areas of Sossusvlei, known to be between 550m-600m above sea level, does not seem to be a suitable habitat for them. However, I saw this bird busy with its November midday hunting activity in Sossusvlei. It was a huge surprise for me to see the Secretarybird in this area. As a tour guide, I have driven to this place countless times with tourists but had never seen them before. This bird is among the top tick-list for birders and tourists alike and one can imagine the interest and surprise it generated to find it in the middle of the desert.

Of interest is the food competition factor with other birds of prey in the area. The Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus) and Black-Chested Snake –eagle (Circaetus gallicus), which might offer competition to the Secretarybird are very common in the Sossusvlei area. However, despite their diet being almost similar, their methods of hunting are different. The Secretarybird is a ground hunter whilst the other 2 mostly perch in trees or soar at high altitudes to be able to locate their prey.

They may, to some extent compete, and given the wider geographic distribution of its competitors, the other raptors in the area are likely to prevail. I am of the opinion that we are not likely to see a lot of Secretarybirds in the Sossusvlei area and that this could have been an isolated sighting which could have been caused by a stray bird in search of greener pastures.