About the White-backed Vulture
The white-backed vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the most common vulture species in the continent of Africa.
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ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Portugal, Togo, Central African Republic.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Himalayan VultureGyps himalayensisThe Himalayan vulture has dark brown greater covert feathers, tail and wing quills, but a pale buff uniform upperside and paler tipped inner secondaries; its legs are covered with buffy feathers and vary in colour from greenish grey to pale brown.
Cape VultureGyps coprotheresThis large vulture is of a creamy-buff colour, with contrasting dark flight and tail feathers.
White-rumped VultureGyps bengalensisThe white-rumped vulture is the smallest of the Gyps vultures, but is still a very large bird.
Side by side: Griffon Vulture vs White-backed Vulture · Egyptian Vulture vs White-backed Vulture
Learn the White-backed Vulture for real
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