Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) Fact Sheet: Population & Conservation Status

Population estimates

• 6,700-67,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2016)
  • Local surveys available, but no detailed global population surveys

IUCN Status

• Endangered (2020 assessment) (BirdLife International 2020)

CITES Status

• Appendix II (UNEP 2019)

Habiat loss and disturbance

• Burning of grasslands
  
• Loss of prey
  
• Spreading cultivation and urbanization
  

Interactions with humans

• Disturb nest sites (esp. herders)
  
• Collisions with cars, utility lines, and aircraft
  

Wildlife trade

• Traded in small numbers
  

Other potential threats

• Hunting
  
• Nest-raiding
  
• Consuming poisoned carrion and water
  
• Drought

From IUCN (2013):

Conservation Actions Underway

• Listing on CITES Appendix II
• Presence in national parks and protected ares

Conservation Actions Proposed

• Africa-wide monitoring program
• Obtain up-to-date population counts, track trends
• Where declining, raise awareness among local peoples, esp. livestock herders
• Monitor trade

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Herholdt  (2006)
Steyn (1982)