Bird Guide

Griffon Vulture vs White-backed Vulture

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

Griffon Vulture

Gyps fulvus

Huge7.4 kgGrassland

The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7.5–9.2 ft) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a white head, broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Thomas SIGNEAU · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Karim Haddad · CC BY 4.0
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

White-backed Vulture

Gyps africanus

Huge5.4 kgShrubland

The white-backed vulture is a typical vulture, with only down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff. The adult's whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage. Juveniles are largely dark. This is a medium-sized vulture; its body mass is 4.2 to 7.2 kg (9.3–15.9 lb), it is 78 to 98 cm (31 to 39 in) long and has a 1.96 to 2.25 m (6 ft 5 in to 7 ft 5 in) wingspan.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: linkie · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Griffon Vulture and White-backed Vulture.