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Gyps africanus
Endangered according to IUCN redlist. The White-backed Vulture has down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff. The adult’s whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage. Juveniles are largely dark.
Spotted next to crocodile river, close to Komatiepoort gate in Kruger National Park. Dry season. (http://birding.krugerpark.co.za/best-bir...)
White-backed vultures are scavengers, feeding on the soft muscle, organ tissue and bone fragments of large carcasses. With their large, broad wings they can soar and circle for hours as they search for carrion. It also takes scraps from human habitations. It often moves in flocks. Their excellent eyesight enables them to spot food from high in the air, and they also keep an eye on other vultures, quickly following if they see another making a sudden descent. White-backed vultures breed at the start of the dry season, nesting in loose colonies of 2 to 13 birds. The nest is a platform of sticks, lined with grass and green leaves, situated in the crown or fork of a large tree. Generally a single egg is laid, which is incubated for 56 days. The pale grey chick is fed by both parents until they fledge at 120 to 130 days of age. The white-backed vulture has been impacted by a number of threats, resulting in a decline in numbers in recent years. Consequently, in 2012 the IUCN Red List uplisted the species from Near Threatened to Endangered. These population declines have been caused by a combination of factors: the loss and conversion of the vulture’s habitat for agriculture, declines in wild ungulate populations reducing the availability of carrion, hunting for use in traditional medicine, capture for the illegal live trade, electrocution on electricity pylons, drowning in farm reservoirs, persecution and poisoning.
Spotted on Jul 21, 2013
Submitted on Jul 22, 2013
11 Comments
That's interesting Diana32. Thanks for sharing that article 😊
Just came across this article about the balled spots: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-...
Interesting! Thanks so much for following up ... beautiful birds.
Suzanne. The bold spots exist on the juveniles, and also on some of the adults. The guide I am talking to said that these spots are there for hygienic reasons. After feasting on a carcass, they always take a bath and clean up. And bold skin is easier to keep clean than skin with a lot of feathers. After cleaning they sit on the sandbanks with wide-spread wings, both for drying up, and heat up so the temperature for lice and mites living on them get a bit uncomfortable, and make them move around on the skin/feathers. This means that they are easily spotted and can be removed by the Vulture.
Suzanne, I spent a long time watching those birds and they are very beautiful but unfortunately very misunderstood species with a bad rumor... I cant say that I know anything about the bald spots, but let me ask whenever I get a chance, and I will get back to you with an answer... And Mac, thank you too for your nice comment :D
Wonderful photos, Tiz, thanks for posting them. I have a soft spot for vultures and these really speak to their character. I've never seen a White-backed Vulture. Are the two small bald patches at the top of the chest typical, or are they particular to this bird? Very striking ... hate to hear that they're endangered.
Great pics Tiz
Since it is the fantastic "moth-week", and I dont have any moth pictures :(, I have to upload something that does not eath moths for dinner as no 100... But when uploaded, beers are on me :)
Lack bit for spotting 100, we need to celebrate. :)
I am happy to learn about what I see, and it is great if you enjoy the notes as well :) It was not really an "overdose" this time haha, more of a dose, mixed up with other fun spottings...
An overdose of birds? I like your notes, very informative.