The secretarybird or secretary bird ( Sagittarius serpentarius ) is a very large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey . Endemic to Africa , it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Saharan region . Although a member of the order Accipitriformes , which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites , hawks , vultures , and harriers , it is given its own family, Sagittariidae . It appears on the coats of arms of Sudan and South Africa .