Secretary Bird vs Snowy Owl
Sagittarius serpentarius compared with Bubo scandiacus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Secretary Bird | Snowy Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sagittarius serpentarius | Bubo scandiacus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Sagittariidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Length | 130.0 cm (51.2 in) | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 210.0 cm (82.7 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 3700.0 g (130.51 oz) | 2100.0 g (74.08 oz) |
| Diet | Snakes, lizards, small mammals, and large insects. Hunts on foot, stomping prey to death with … | Primarily lemmings on the breeding grounds, where a pair may consume over 1,500 per year. … |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 3-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Secretary Bird
Open grasslands, savannas, and light woodland across sub-Saharan Africa. Avoids dense forests and very arid regions.
Snowy Owl
Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.
Song & Call Comparison
Secretary Bird
A surprisingly deep, resonant croaking 'kowrr-kowrr' often heard at dawn on African savannas. Also gives pig-like grunting sounds. Mostly silent compared to true songbirds.
Snowy Owl
Male gives a deep booming hoot 'hooooo' and a rising 'hoo-hoo' series. Also barks sharply when alarmed. Quieter than many owls; silent during long Arctic winter hunts.
Geographic Range & Migration
Secretary Bird
Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Somalia south to South Africa. Resident throughout its range.
Snowy Owl
Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation Status
Secretary Bird
Snowy Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Secretary Bird
Grey body plumage with black flight feathers and thigh feathers. Distinctive long black crest feathers trail from the back of the head. Orange-red bare facial skin.
Short, strong, hooked greyish bill with a yellowish cere
Snowy Owl
Adult males are almost entirely white. Females and immatures have dark brown barring and spotting. Yellow eyes and fully feathered feet.
Dark hooked bill mostly hidden by dense facial feathering
About These Birds
Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is the only raptor that hunts primarily on foot, striding through grasslands on crane-like legs up to 1.2 meters tall. Its name may derive from the crest feathers resembling quill pens tucked behind a secretary's ear. The species is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and decline across much of its range.
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and one of the most charismatic Arctic birds. Unlike most owls, it is largely diurnal, necessitated by the continuous daylight of Arctic summers. Snowy owl irruptions — periodic mass southward movements — are tied to lemming population cycles.