The secretary bird is native to the grasslands and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. This species' long legs make it able to locate and stalk prey in the tall grass. Secretary birds feed on a variety of small vertebrates but have a propensity toward snakes. Once thought to have been named for its head feathers, which resembled the quill pens a secretary historically wore in her hair, this raptors name is now believed to have derived from Arabic "saqr et-tair", meaning "hunter bird"