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Definition 2024

secretary_bird

secretary bird

See also: secretarybird

English

geographic distribution of the secretary bird
secretary bird

Alternative forms

Noun

secretary bird ‎(plural secretary birds)

  1. A large terrestrial bird of prey, Sagittarius serpentarius, native to Africa with very long legs that preys on reptiles, especially snakes.

Translations

Etymology

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-ṭāʾir, “hunter bird”), from صَقْر ‎(ṣaqr, “falcon, hawk”) طَائِر ‎(ṭāʾir, “bird”).

Pronunciation

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