U.S. Zoo Hatches Rare Carnivorous Bird for First Time in 15 Years

In recent days, the San Antonio Zoo announced that they have a new little one. This chick comes courtesy of their own secretary birds, Bernard and Satinka.

On August 25, 2023, the zoo took to social media to announce the hatching of their newest secretary bird. The eggs first came from their current bonded pair, which have been together for around five years. As of now, the San Antonio Zoo is one of only twelve zoological facilities to house secretary birds. However, only two others reported successful hatchings of this species this year. For the San Antonio Zoo, this is the first secretary chick to be born in around 15 years. 

San Antonio Zoo highly promotes awareness of endangered species through its conservation efforts and breeding programs. As a result, the birth of this new chick is highly celebrated since the species has been listed as “Endangered” since 2020. 

Why Is This Important?

As mentioned above, in 2020, the secretary bird went from a species of least concern to an endangered species. One of the main concerns for this species in the wild is the loss of habitat. As deforestation and urbanization occur, many of the areas that wild secretary birds once called home transform into areas where they cannot survive. Aside from creating scarcity in terms of shelter, it can also place a strain on the availability of other resources, including food. 

The birth of the zoo’s newest chick goes beyond helping to increase the secretary bird’s population. Tim Morrow, President and CEO of San Antonio Zoo, hopes that the birth also sheds light on the “critical conservation work” done to “protect these magnificent birds and their natural habitats.” This, in turn, will hopefully raise awareness about the species and what is needed to help protect them from extinction. 

Species Profile: Secretary Bird

The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), or secretarybird, is a large species of terrestrial, carnivorous bird. It is endemic to Africa and named for the large black feathers atop its head, which resemble quill pens. They have a striking appearance, with a primarily white coat and black tail. These birds sport a red-orange coloration around their eyes, a curved beak, and long black legs. 

Secretary birds are able to hunt even the most fierce venomous snakes, such as the black mamba. In order to do so, this species uses its long legs and razor-sharp talons to step on the snake. Despite being primarily terrestrial, the secretary bird is capable of flight.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Karel Bartik/Shutterstock.com