Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Secretarybird in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Secretarybird are most active during the day (06:00 to 18:00).
This is Secretarybird's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Secretarybird in Rietvlei Nature Reserve: best roads
Drive
Acacia Route, Vleiroete Road and Main Road run through open grassland: good country for Secretarybird.
- Acacia Route7.4 km · open grassland
- Vleiroete Road5.7 km · open grassland
- Main Road4.6 km · open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Secretarybird have actually been seen recently.
About the Secretarybird
The secretarybird is a large, distinctive terrestrial bird of prey found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has exceptionally long legs, a long tail, a small eagle-like head and distinctive black feathers extending from the back of the head. Unlike most raptors, it spends most of its time walking across open grassland and savanna. It feeds mainly on snakes, lizards, insects, small mammals and other ground-dwelling prey, which it can kill with powerful downward strikes of its feet.
How to identify the Secretarybird
Tall, unmistakable raptor with very long legs, a small head, long tail and broad wings. Adults are mostly grey above with black flight feathers and a distinctive black crest at the back of the head. Often seen walking through open grassland rather than perched.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Secretarybird
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Secretarybird have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.