Critically Endangered

White-backed Vulture

(Gyps africanus)

East Africa Acacia Savannas

STATISTICS

Height up to

98 cm

Weight up to

7.2 kgs

Lifespan

20 Years

Wingspan

2.25 cm

Excellent Eye Sight - Flies Great Distances

The White-backed Vulture is the only old world vulture in the same family as hawks, kites, and buzzards. It has typical vulture characteristics with down feathers on its head and neck, broad wings, and short tail feathers.

The White-backed Vulture is a scavenger species and can fly great distances in search of food. It often relies on other scavengers or fellow vultures to locate food and feeds off the carcasses of dead animals. It plays a vital role in keeping its ecosystem clean and free of disease. The White-backed Vulture spends a significant amount of time preening and will often sit around a waterhole for hours cleaning its feathers.

It moves in flocks and breeds in trees, laying just one large egg. This species has become Critically Endangered over the last few years due to poisoning.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFIT

Ecosystem Cleaner

THREATS

Elephants

Elephants push over trees that are vulture nesting sites.

Power Lines

This species is being electrocuted by power lines.

Poisoning

Poisoning of waterholes and carcasses by poachers is significantly impacting vulture populations.

UNKNOWN
Left in the Wild

PROTECT THE WILDARK 100