secretary bird
Definition
Noun: 1. A large, long-legged African bird of prey (Sagittarius serpentarius) that primarily feeds on reptiles, especially snakes: This distinctive bird has an eagle-like body but crane-like legs, and is named for its crest of long feathers that resemble quill pens stuck behind a secretary's ear.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The secretary bird is easily identified by its long legs and distinctive crest.
- We observed a secretary bird stalking through the grassland, hunting for snakes.
Advanced Usage
- Ecological Role: The term is used to describe a key predator in its ecosystem, known for its unique method of killing prey (stamping on reptiles with its powerful legs).
- The secretary bird acts as a natural form of pest control in the savanna.
Variants and Related Words
- Sagittarius serpentarius (n): The scientific binomial name for the secretary bird.
Synonyms
- Serpent eagle (n): A descriptive, though less common, name highlighting its diet of snakes (serpents).
Related Phrases
- Bird of prey (n): The general category to which the secretary bird belongs, denoting a carnivorous bird that hunts vertebrates.
- Hawks, eagles, and the secretary bird are all birds of prey.
Noun
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large long-legged African bird of prey that feeds on reptiles
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