Habitat selection by an extraordinary savannah raptor: environmental factors driving abundance of the Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

A groundbreaking study reveals that Secretarybirds (Sagittarius serpentarius) thrive in the Serengeti National Park's transition zones, where extensive grasslands meet open woodlands or treed shrublands. Researchers estimated a population of 1,513 individuals with densities peaking at 2.3 birds per 10 km². Secretarybirds favor flat terrains with seasonal rivers and annual precipitation below 900 mm, avoiding areas with low vegetation cover or excessive prescribed burning (>60%). Pairs prefer closed treed shrublands, while single birds are more common in heterogeneous habitats. This research provides critical insights for long-term conservation efforts in Tanzania's Serengeti ecosystem.

Romani, F., Mmassy, E. C., Pellitteri-Rosa, D., Posillico, M., & Ramella Levis, E. (2025). Habitat selection by an extraordinary savannah raptor: environmental factors driving abundance of the Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania). Bird Study, 72(3), 263–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2025.2490776