Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
ShrublandPlatform nestHuge · 3.0 kg
ID tip
The white-headed vulture is a medium-sized vulture, 72–85 centimetres (28–33 in) in length and with a wingspan of 207–230 centimetres (81–91 in). Females have an average weight of 4.7 kilograms (10 lb), while males are generally lighter at 4 kilograms (8.8 lb) or less. This species is unique among African vultures as it shows a degree of reversed sexual dimorphism, where females are somewhat larger than males. It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. It has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the White-headed Vulture
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the White-headed Vulture
The map shades 28 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sudan, Guinea-Bissau.
About the White-headed Vulture
The white-headed vulture is an Old World vulture endemic to Africa. Populations have been declining steeply in recent years due to habitat degradation and poisoning of vultures at carcasses. An extinct relative was also present in the Indonesian island of Flores during the Late Pleistocene, indicating that the genus was more widespread in the past.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Rüppell's VultureGyps rueppelliThe Rüppell's vulture is a very large vulture, noticeably outsizing the closely related white-backed vulture, with which they often occur in the wild.
Pied HarrierCircus melanoleucosThe pied harrier is a medium-sized raptor.
Square-tailed KiteLophoictinia isuraAs an adult the square-tailed kite is a medium-sized raptor, with the following features:
Length: 50–56 cm (tail is about half the length of bird)
Wingspan: 130–145 cm
Weight: Male-501g, Female-650g
Side by side: Square-tailed Kite vs White-headed Vulture · Pied Harrier vs White-headed Vulture · Rüppell's Vulture vs White-headed Vulture
Learn the White-headed Vulture in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.