Secretary birds are unique terrestrial raptors of African savannahs, now classified as Endangered with populations declining across their range.
Agricultural conversion removes open savannah foraging habitat. Pesticide reduction of prey base causes nutritional stress. Nest disturbance from farm vehicles, aircraft, and recreational off-road use causes chick abandonment. Leg trapping and other forms of persecution occur in some farming areas. Declining populations are increasingly fragmented with reduced encounter rates for breeding pairs.