The diversity of vultures - The Cape vulture
The Cape vulture is the only vulture that is endemic to southern Africa6. They are large, cream-coloured vultures with yellow eyes, a black bill, and bluish-grey skin. Unlike many other vulture species, they nest on cliffs instead of in trees. They prefer to feed on the meat and organs of large carcasses.
Conservation status
Listed as vulnerable6 is the Cape vulture. The estimated 9,600-12,800 remaining mature individuals are in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and Mozambique.
Lappet-faced vulture
The lappet-faced vulture is a large, dark-coloured vulture with white thighs, a naked, pinkish head, and a powerful beak. While they often arrive last at a kill, they dominate other vulture species with their intimidating size. With their powerful beak, they prefer the skin, tendons, and other tough parts of the carcass that other vultures can’t manage.
Conservation status
They are listed as endangered globally, with an estimated population of 6,530 mature individuals7. Their distribution range includes Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. However, they are critically endangered in South Africa8, where an estimated 100-200 mature individuals are in the Greater Kruger Conservation Area.
Bearded vulture
The bearded vulture is a striking bird with dark wings, a rufous neck and underside, red eyes, and a black facemask and beard. This bird prefers mountainous areas and nests on cliff ledges or in caves9. They are one of the only vultures that feed mainly on bones. They will wait for the other scavengers to finish at a carcass before feeding. They will swallow smaller bones whole. They will shatter bigger bones by dropping them onto rocks.
Conservation status
Globally, these vultures are near threatened, with an estimated population of 1,700-6,700 mature individuals found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa9. Population trends vary substantially between regions. In South Africa, they are critically endangered10. One small population of about 200 mature individuals along the Drakensberg Escarpment has declined by 80% over the past 50 years.
Protecting our vultures
Organizations like Birdlife South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, WildlifeAct, and Vulpro are working hard to protect vultures against accidental and intentional poisonings, poaching, collisions with power lines and wind turbines, loss of habitat, and reductions in large herbivores and other food species.
Conservation actions include education and awareness programmes, treating and rehabilitating injured vultures, and captive breeding programmes. Since 2019, three Vulture Safe Zones have been established in South Africa, where property owners commit to creating a vulture-friendly environment on their properties11. Hopefully, there will soon be more as people realize the value of these birds.
By raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, we can ensure that these special birds continue to play their important role in the ecosystem.
References
1. Siyabona Africa. 2024. Vultures, Birding Raptor Guide – Kruger Park Birding.
2. BirdLife International. 2022. Necrosyrtes monachus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T22695185A204974761.
3. Allan DG. 2015. Necrosyrtes monachus. In: The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Taylor, MR, Peacock F, Wanless RW (eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
4. BirdLife International. 2021. Trigonoceps occipitalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695250A205380033.
5. BirdLife International. 2021. Gyps africanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695189A204461164.
6. BirdLife International. 2021. Gyps coprotheres. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695225A197073171.
7. BirdLife International. 2021. Torgos tracheliotos. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695238A205352949. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021- 3.RLTS.T22695238A205352949.en
8. Allan DG. 2015. Torgos tracheliotos. In: The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Taylor, MR, Peacock F, Wanless RW (eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
9. BirdLife International. 2021. Gypaetus barbatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695174A154813652.
10. Kruger S. 2015. Gypaetus barbatus. In: The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Taylor, MR, Peacock F, Wanless RW (eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Birding is one of the world’s largest and most popular hobbies and can be done anywhere, e.g., from your office window to parks and more. What makes birding so attractive is that you can plan your weekends away by going on birding trips and getting your friends involved or even combine it with other hobbies like fishing or hiking.
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