Sagittariidae

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Sagittariidae (secretary bird; class Aves, order Falconiformes) A monospecific family (Sagittarius serpentarius) which is a large, grey bird with black thighs and flight feathers. It has a long neck and its nape has elongated feathers. The face is bare with a short, hooked bill. The legs are very long, with short toes which are webbed basally. The wings are large and the tail long, with long central feathers. The secretary bird inhabits open plains, feeds on reptiles (particularly snakes), small mammals, and insects, and nests in a bush or tree. It is found in Africa.

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