secretary bird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “secretary bird” mean?
A large, terrestrial bird of prey native to Africa, with long legs and a crest of black feathers resembling quill pens behind its ears.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, terrestrial bird of prey native to Africa, with long legs and a crest of black feathers resembling quill pens behind its ears.
A species (Sagittarius serpentarius) known for hunting snakes and other small animals by stamping on them with its powerful legs, and for its distinctive, crane-like gait.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent as 'secretary bird'.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term for the specific bird species in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US English, encountered mainly in specialized contexts like nature documentaries, wildlife articles, or zoos.
Grammar
How to Use “secretary bird” in a Sentence
The secretary bird hunts [prey].A secretary bird was seen [verb+ing] in the grassland.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and ecology papers discussing African fauna or raptor behavior.
Everyday
Rare. Might be mentioned when discussing African wildlife, unusual birds, or visits to zoos.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology, wildlife documentaries, field guides, and conservation literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secretary bird”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secretary bird”
- Misspelling as 'secretarybird' (sometimes accepted but usually two words).
- Confusing it with other large, long-legged birds like cranes or storks.
- Incorrectly assuming it has a connection to office work.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The name likely comes from the crest of long, black-tipped feathers on the back of its head, which were thought to resemble quill pens stuck behind the ear of a 19th-century secretary.
It is native to the open grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa.
It is currently classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, poisoning, and other human-related threats.
Yes, it is a capable flier, but it spends most of its time walking on the ground while hunting.
A large, terrestrial bird of prey native to Africa, with long legs and a crest of black feathers resembling quill pens behind its ears.
Secretary bird is usually formal/technical in register.
Secretary bird: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsek.rə.tər.i ˈbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsek.rə.ter.i ˌbɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tall, elegant bird wearing a secretary's quill pen behind its ear, taking notes as it walks through the savanna hunting snakes.
Conceptual Metaphor
The bird's head crest is metaphorically seen as a bunch of quill pens, linking it to the historical image of a clerk or secretary.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most distinctive hunting method of the secretary bird?