English Explanatory Dictionary

secretary bird

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ˈsɛkɹəˌtɛɹɪ bɜːd/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-secretary bird.wav

Word forms

secretary bird secretary birds secretarybird

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

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