The White-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is an Old World vulture native to Africa. This species is unique among African vultures as it shows a degree of reversed sexual dimorphism, where females are somewhat larger than males.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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ScavengerScavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While sc...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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Soaring birdsSoaring birds can maintain flight without wing flapping, using rising air currents. Many gliding birds are able to "lock" their extended wings by m...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe White-headed vulture has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. It has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers. The feathers on its lower parts and legs are white, giving it its diagnostic image from below. These vultures are easily distinguishable from all other vulture species as the plumage exhibits a strong contrast between black and white. Individual white-headed vultures can also be reliably identified based on a unique pattern in their median wing coverts.
White-headed vultures are widely spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from Senegal and Gambia east to Somalia and south to South Africa and Eswatini. These birds prefer mixed, dry woodland at low altitudes and can be found in thorny Acacia-dominated landscapes in Botswana. They generally avoid human habitation and are considered to be restricted to protected areas. For example, the Kruger National Park and neighboring conservation areas hold the largest population of the species in South Africa.
White-headed vultures are very shy in their nature. These birds are usually seen alone or in pairs. They spend their days soaring looking for food. They frequently fly lower than other vulture species and are often the first species to turn up at a carcass. The visual field of White-headed vultures is more similar to other predatory species such as the Accipitrid hawk than to that of more closely related, carrion-feeding Gyps vultures. Specifically, they have a significantly wider binocular field (30°, compared to the 20° of Gyps vultures), which is thought to help with the accurate placement and timing of the talons necessary to capture live prey.
White-headed vultures are mainly carrion-eaters but they also readily feed on freshly killed prey such as mongooses, lizards, Scrub hares, and other small mammals.
White-headed vultures are monogamous and form pairs. They are solitary nesters and appear to be loyal to a territory where they remain resident. They build nests in trees (mostly acacias or baobabs). The female usually lays a single egg a couple of months after the rainy season has ended and the dry season is underway. Incubation lasts about 43 to 55 days and both parents share incubation and brooding duties. The chick remains at the nest for about 115 days fed by parents. After the chick fledges parents continue to feed it at the nest for 6 months more.
White-headed vulture populations have been declining since the early 1940s. The main threats to this species are reductions in the availability of suitable food sources (carcasses of medium-sized mammals and ungulates) and the loss of habitat to the spread of urban and agricultural developments. Poisoning through baits set for other carnivores such as jackals and hyenas, as well as targeted poisoning of vultures (by poachers who seek to prevent vultures from drawing attention to an illegal kill), is also an important factor. Other causes of decline are exploitation of the international trade in raptors and use in traditional medicines. The species is highly sensitive to land use and tends to depart from degraded habitats, leading to high concentrations in protected areas.
According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the White-headed vulture is 5,500 individuals which equates to 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
