Recognising the Six Vulture Species of South Africa

Vultures play a important position in sustaining the steadiness of our surroundings. They’re nature’s cleanup crew, scavenging and disposing of animal stays that would in any other case develop into breeding grounds for illness. By swiftly recycling natural matter, Vultures assist forestall the unfold of sicknesses that would have an effect on each people and animals.

Sadly, the Vulture species of South Africa, are uncovered to all kinds of threats which embrace poisoning, habitat degradation, inhabitants fragmentation, restricted protected meals availability, human disturbance, in addition to vitality infrastructure collisions and electrocutions.

Of the six Vulture species that happen in South Africa, all are both Susceptible, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. At this time, as we recognise Worldwide Vulture Consciousness Day, we’d wish to share extra about every of those unbelievable species to encourage additional assist and safety of those distinctive birds. 

Introducing the Vulture Species of South Africa:

White-Headed Vulture  (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Critically Endangered

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 80-100

*no nests recorded in KZN since 2017

The White-Headed Vulture is a particular vulture species, with their white heads and pink necks contrasting in opposition to their darkish, feathered our bodies. They’re roughly 78–82 cm tall with a wingspan of over two metres, weighing roughly 3.3 to five.3kg.

These Vultures are often discovered solitary or in monogamous pairs. Most nests are present in Acacia timber and one egg is laid at a time, nevertheless 61% of pairs don’t breed yearly on account of nonetheless having a dependent chick from the earlier yr.

In 2000, White-headed Vultures have been listed as Susceptible within the Pink Knowledge E book. In 2015, their standing was uplifted to ‘Critically Endangered’, which was maintained upon the newest evaluation in 2021. Considerably, following Vulture nest surveys throughout the province of KwaZulu-Natal in 2021, conservation organisations Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Wildlife ACT confirmed the localised extinction of breeding White-Headed Vultures.

Hooded Vulture  (Necrosyrtes monachus)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Critically Endangered

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 50-100

The Hooded Vulture is aptly named for the distinctive black hood of feathers that covers their head and neck. Their darkish plumage contrasts with its pale, featherless face, which is particularly tailored for its feeding habits.

This comparatively small Vulture typically weighs between 1.5 to 2.6kg and has a wingspan of round 160cm. Attributable to their smaller measurement, Hooded Vultures are capable of rise on thermal currents simply which regularly makes them among the many first arrivals at close by carcasses. 

Hooded Vultures type monogamous pairs, with one egg laid per breeding season and an incubation interval of 48-54 days. Chicks are dependent for across the first seven months of their lives.

African White-Backed Vulture  (Gyps africanus)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Critically Endangered

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 4000

African White-Backed Vultures are medium in measurement, standing at round 94cm excessive and weighing between 4-7kg. They’re gentle brown to cream in color with juveniles being a barely darker and deeper brown. 

These Vultures are tree-dwellers, mostly present in open wooded savanna and bushveld. They’re scavengers of carrion and aggressive feeders, however can even hunt when the necessity arises. 

In terms of breeding, White-Backed Vultures are predominantly monogamous and can typically nest in small colonies in scattered timber just a few hundred metres aside. One egg is laid and can hatch after a interval of roughly 58 days, following which, each dad and mom look after the chick for as much as six months. 

Lappet-Confronted Vulture  (Torgos tracheliotos)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Endangered

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 180

*solely 2-6 nests in KZN

Weighing in at as much as 9kg and standing at 110cm tall, the Lappet-Confronted Vulture is the most important and strongest of the Vulture species of South Africa. Though they’re typically outnumbered by smaller species such because the African White Backed Vulture, they’re probably the most dominant at a carcass throughout feeding. 

The Lappet-Confronted Vulture has a wingspan of between 2.5-2.9m, making it unmissable when hovering above. This species is notable for its reddish-coloured neck and bald head, in addition to its dark-coloured feathers. 

The Lappet-Confronted Vulture lives both in solitude or in monogamous pairs and can breed yearly. Females develop into sexually mature at round six years of age and can usually solely lay one egg per breeding season. Following an incubation interval of round 55 days, chicks will stay depending on dad and mom till they’re 5-6 months outdated. 

Cape Vulture  (Gyps coprotheres)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Susceptible

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 4500

The Cape Vulture is southern Africa’s solely endemic vulture species. These vultures previously bred in Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Namibia, however are actually extinct in Swaziland, with solely small, non-breeding populations remaining in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

This species has a reasonably large wingspan of as much as 2.6m and usually weighs from 7 to 11 kg. They’re distinguished by their naked blue-coloured necks and cream-coloured plumage with darkish brown feathers. 

Cape Vultures have a possible lifespan of over 30 years. They’re cliff dwellers and stay in colonies with massive, prolonged households. They’re monogamous breeders and lay one egg per breeding season. It’s estimated that there are 4,500 breeding pairs remaining in southern Africa, with about 20% of the whole inhabitants residing within the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains.

Bearded Vulture  (Gypaetus barbatus)

IUCN Pink Listing Standing: Critically Endangered

Estimated Breeding Pairs in South Africa: 50 to 100 breeding pairs in South Africa and Lesotho

The Bearded Vulture has skilled a drastic decline in the course of the previous century, which has resulted in an remoted inhabitants restricted to the Maloti-Drakensberg mountain vary. Curiously, they’re the one recognized vertebrate with a weight-reduction plan that consists of virtually simply bone. 

With adults weighing in at 6kgs, a wingspan of two.6 metres, putting plumage, purple eyes and lengthy, diamond-shaped tails, it’s simple to see how these stunning birds acquired the title ‘Monarchs of the Mountains’.

Bearded Vultures are cliff nesters, choosing rocky ledges. They lay one or two eggs throughout winter, with hatchlings being depending on the dad and mom for as much as two years. 

In contrast to most Vultures, the Bearded Vulture doesn’t have a bald head, making it higher geared up for cooler climates. This hen is a spectacular sight in its personal proper, in addition to an important element of the atmosphere, performing a necessary ecological position as a scavenger.

Assist the trigger

Please assist to assist the important work being completed to guard the Vulture species of South Africa HERE.

To be taught extra about the right way to become involved, please contact Wildlife ACT’s Vulture Programme Supervisor on anel@wildlifeact.com.