Hooded Vulture
Necrosyrtes monachus
The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is a uncommon kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 34 countries, weighing about 2.0 kg. The hooded vulture is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.
About the Hooded Vulture
The hooded vulture is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Necrosyrtes, which is sister to the larger Gyps genus, both of which are a part of the Aegypiinae subfamily of Old World vultures. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it has a widespread distribution with populations in southern, East and West Africa. It is a scruffy-looking, small vulture with dark brown plumage, a long thin bill, bare crown, face and fore-neck, and a downy nape and hind-neck. Its face is usually a light red colour. It typically scavenges on carcasses of wildlife and domestic animals. Although it remains a…
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How to identify it
The hooded vulture is a typical vulture, with a head that is usually pinkish-white, but flushes red when agitated, and a grey to black "hood". It has fairly uniform dark brown body plumage. It has broad wings for soaring and short tail feathers. This is one of the smaller Old World vultures. They are 62–72 cm (24–28 in) long, have a wingspan of 155–180 cm (61–71 in) and a body weight of 1.5–2.6 kg (3.3–5.7 lb). Both sexes are alike in appearance, although females often have longer eyelashes than males. Voice: Usually silent, but gives a shrill, sibilant whistle during copulation, and thin squealing calls both at nests and carcasses.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain.
When to see it
The Hooded Vulture can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hooded Vulture?
- The hooded vulture is a typical vulture, with a head that is usually pinkish-white, but flushes red when agitated, and a grey to black "hood". Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Hooded Vulture?
- The Hooded Vulture is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Hooded Vulture?
- The Hooded Vulture occurs in 34 countries, including South Africa, the Gambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Ghana.
- What birds look similar to a Hooded Vulture?
- The Hooded Vulture is most easily confused with the Eastern Buzzard, the Hook-billed Kite and the Wahlberg's Eagle.
- Is the Hooded Vulture endangered?
- The Hooded Vulture is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hooded Vulture for real
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