The snake-eating kite is a large bird of prey endemic to Africa, often found in sparse grasslands and savannas. This bird has many special things to say, but the most special thing is its long, shiny curled eyelashes, making all women jealous.

Secretarybird (or snake-eating kite) is the only species in the bird genus of the Sagittariidae family (scientific name Sagittarius serpentarius). The scientific name of the genus “Sagittarius” is the Latin word for “archer”, perhaps due to the comparison of the tube feathers of snake-eating kites with arrow quivers, while the species name “serpentarius” suggests remember this bird’s skill in hunting reptiles.

The snake-eating kite appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa. They are often called Secretarybirds because the feathers on their heads resemble the quills often held on the heads of secretaries in medieval Europe. Unlike most birds of prey, snake-eating kites spend most of their lives on land and kill their prey with their feet. According to biologists, they can travel more than 30km a day to hunt snakes, insects and many other animals.

The snake kite is a beautiful yet heartless killer, and is an excellent hunter of poisonous snakes. Their main food is snakes, lizards, young birds and small animals. When identifying a target, kites often use their feet to kick their prey hard like assassins and then quickly “eat” the victim within a split second. If it encounters fast-running prey, the kite will spread its wings to run and fly, determined not to let it escape.