Cape+Vulture

The cape vulture, also referred to as the cape griffon, is a species of vulture in the Accipitridae family indigenous to South Africa. This large bird is distinguishable by its cream-colored body, black tail-feathers and bill, and bluish face and neck. A child cape vulture is usually darker than its adult counterpart and also has a more red-toned neck. Females of the species are on average larger than the males. Because of its size, the species is considered the largest bird-of-prey in all of Africa.

The cape vulture live in the mountains and grasslands of Africa. They are more commonly found in the mountains than the grasslands, as not only does the mountainous area provide the wind currents required for the bird to fly, but it is in the cliffs of the mountain that the species slumbers and reproduces. Breeding season for the cape vulture transpires between the months of April and July, in which the male and female create a nest together and then incubate the single egg the female lays annually. The diet of the vulture is simply the carcasses of deceased animals. Flocks attempt to find food together, and when they do, they will eat in order of the hierarchy. If necessary, the flock will fight off hordes of competing raptors to ensure only they eat what they have found.

As of 2015, the capture vulture is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the IUCN. It is widely believed the population of the bird is around 8,000 left. The major issues facing the cape vulture includes unintentional poisoning, power line collision and electrocution, and breeding ground disturbance. Conservation efforts are underway, such as the awareness of the species’ decline and development of protected breeding grounds.