secretary bird
See also: secretarybird
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Probably so named because its crest of long feathers resembles quill pens stuck behind the ears of an office clerk. Alternatively, possibly from Arabic صَقْر اَلطَّائِر (ṣaqr aṭ-ṭāʔir, “hunter bird”), from صَقْر (ṣaqr, “falcon, hawk”) طَائِر (ṭāʔir, “bird”).
Pronunciation edit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɛkɹəˌtɛɹɪ bɜːd/
Noun edit
secretary bird (plural secretary birds)
- A large terrestrial bird of prey, Sagittarius serpentarius, native to Africa with very long legs that preys on reptiles, especially snakes.
Translations edit
member of bird family
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Further reading edit
- secretary bird on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
- Sagittarius serpentarius on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
- Sagittarius serpentarius on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons