As many of you are aware, the last couple of articles have told you the story about the collection of our newest visitors, the vultures. The story has been unveiled telling you of the journey to Italy, the collection and, of utmost importance, the return. So in this article I am going to tell you a little about the three species that were collected.

African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

African White-backed Vulture

This species is found in Africa but is most common around the northern parts. These are a keen inhabitant to the plains, savannahs and on the odd occasion desert regions.

White-backs are often mistaken for Cape Vultures as they look distinctly alike, however the White-backs have a white rump which separates the two. Like all vultures these eat carrion (dead meat).  In order to find their food, they often rely on smaller vultures to lead them to a source of food. They will eat any carrion they come across, ranging from a hippopotamus to elephant carcasses, stripping it in a matter of hours. After eating they will spend the next few hours bathing and carefully preening themselves.

Often when sexual activities take place, the pairs will display to each other, flying in circles together so that their wings tips almost touch. The female will stay with the chick until it leaves the nest, with dad being responsible for the entire family!

Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Hooded Vulture

This is the only species which will venture into wet forest areas. They have also become well accustomed to villages where they will often wait by local rubbish dumps and at markets. These vultures have been said to be the best adapted (Old World vultures) to live alongside man. They are often seen hopping happily in and out of residents huts!

These vultures are found from southern Egypt to eastern Africa, however they are rarely found in the savannah and they are not found in the Congo.

The characteristics of the Hooded Vultures are easy to define. They are the smallest African vulture. They have bare skin on their face and if they happen to get aggressive or excited they will often blush as the blood vessels dilate. These birds are mainly brown with mature birds having patches of white on them. The name comes from the down which covers the lower throat and rear of the neck, resembling a hood. As well as eating carrion these vultures will also catch lizards and termites. These vultures are monogamous and will return each year to the same nest site to breed.

White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

White-headed Vulture

A widely distributed species ranging throughout central Africa, however they are not found in Arabia. Commonly found on savannahs and steppes, usually in small groups of ten. This is known to be one of the most colourful of the Old World Vultures. The best way to distinguish this species is a crest of white with a pinkish beak and blue cere.

This is another species which, like the Hooded Vultures, will ‘blush’ when excited. This species leads a double life as a scavenger and a hunter, eating carrion and sometimes taking birds and young calves of small antelope, flamingo or guinea fowl, making it a very skilled hunter.

Reproduction tends to occur in tall trees (acacia and baobab); a single egg is laid and incubated for 43 days. Both adults look after the chick until the immature bird is three months old when it will then leave the nest.

I hope that this has given you a brief insight into our three new species. Now all you have to do is pop along and see them for yourselves; they are a truly magnificent group.