The national animal of Sudan is the secretary bird. This is a species of large bird of prey inhabiting the savannahs of Africa, particularly Sudan. The bird is the national emblem and one of the most important national symbols to the people of the nation, being seen as distinctively Sudanese.
The secretary bird, then, is the national animal and the national bird of Sudan, so it’s easy to see how important this creature is to the country.
They hold significance for a great many reasons and have been seen as the vital, all-encompassing embodiment of Sudanese national heritage and values.
Let’s find out more.
What is the national animal of Sudan?
The national animal of Sudan is the secretary bird.
This is a large bird of prey that is endemic to Africa which is mostly terrestrial though not flightless.
They were first described in 1769 by Dutch naturalist Arnout Vomaer, from a live specimen that had been sent to him in Holland.
It was suggested at the time that it be called Sagittarius because, according to Dutch settlers, it had the gait of an archer.
He also said that farmers who had domesticated the bird to combat pests called them the “secretarius”.
They have an eagle-like head and body perched on top of legs that rather resemble a crane.
They usually stand around four foot three, and are around three foot seven to around four foot eleven inches long.
Their wingspan is anywhere from six to just under seven feet.
They weigh around 8.2 to 9.4 pounds.
Their tarsus, and their tail, factor in to make it the longest of all raptor species.
There is not a great degree of sexual dimorphism, though males do tend to have longer tail feathers and a greater extent of head plumes.
They have pinkish grey feet and their upper legs are clad in black feathers somewhat like booted eagles.
They are typically silent as adults, though they are capable of a deep croaking noise during nuptial displays or at their nests.
They make this sound when greeting mates or to warn others of predators.
They form monogamous pairs and defend large territories of as much as 19 square miles.
They more frequently breed during the dry season but they are capable of breeding year round.
They exhibit nuptial displays soaring high with elaborate flight patterns and the aforementioned guttural croaking.
Why, then, are they considered the national animal of Sudan?
Why is the national animal of Sudan the secretary bird?
The secretary bird is the national animal of Sudan for a variety of reasons.
On the one hand, they are considered to be embodiments of many important national values.
They embody freedom, liberty, and reign over their natural territory, protecting as they do such large territories.
They are seen, as many birds often are, to be the perfect encapsulation of the free spirit, even though secretary birds spend a great deal of their time on the ground as opposed to other raptor species.
All of this is very important to the people of Sudan and part of why it was chosen for the country’s national emblem.
On the other hand, on a more literal level, they are seen to be the perfect embodiment of the Sudanese natural landscape.
They are the spirits of the savannah, and can be found over such a wide range in this habitat that many nations and peoples even outside of Sudan would often recognize them in this way.
There is also, though, the question of conservation.
The secretary bird is considered to be an endangered species today, and so the Sudanese government no doubt hopes to bring attention to the problems facing them by making them the national animal.
What is the main prey of the secretary bird?
Secretary birds live over such a wide range that there are many species they might prey on in any given area.
They mostly prey on small and medium sized mammals, like mice, hedgehogs, and hares.
They inhabit the grasslands where such creatures can mostly readily be found and this is their preferred prey.
However, they will also prey on other birds and eat their eggs, as well as being fond of amphibians, and invertebrates like scorpions, millipedes, and crabs.
They will eat, then, just about any prey they can get their hands on.
Where do secretary birds live?
Secretary birds, as mentioned, are endemic to Africa, though they are found over a very wide range on the continent in Sub-Saharan Africa.
They are generally non-migratory. Their range extends from Senegal to Somalia and so the Western Cape in South Africa.
Other than a large chunk of western Africa, they are found virtually throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
As mentioned, within this range, they tend to favor open grassland where they can get the most access to their common prey.
Savannas are their most common environment though they can also be found in more densely wooded areas from time to time.
To look at a secretary bird, then, is to instantly see why it might hold cultural significance for any group of people.
They are striking, fashionable birds that are visually stunning, and so they have become among the most important national symbols in Sudan.
They embody the spirit of the savannah and many other aspects of Sudanese life and so it is hard to see any other choice that could have been made.