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
Sources: IUCN Red List, Wildlife Act
PROTECT THE WILDARK 100