Hawks and eagles
Egyptian Vulture
Link copied.
Neophron percnopterus
Link copied.
Voice
Alarm
How to recognize it
-
Body length 47–65 cm
-
Adults: white plumage, black flight feathers
-
Bare yellow facial skin, long slender bill with hooked tip
-
In flight: pointed wings and wedge-shaped tail, soaring on thermals
About the species
In flight, the Egyptian Vulture looks mostly white, with black wing tips and a tail that narrows to a wedge. Up close, its bare face is bright yellow, and a long, slender bill ends in a hooked tip. Mud or iron-rich soil often stains the pale feathers rusty brown.
Usually alone or in pairs, it circles on warm rising air, then walks with a waddling step on the ground. It is often quiet, but gives a high "mew" or hiss at the nest and screeches when squabbling over a carcass. In parts of Africa, it may crack a large egg by tossing a pebble onto it again and again.
Look for it over dry plains and low hills, where it nests on rocky ledges and sometimes on tall buildings or large trees. Carrion is its main food, though it also takes insects, dung, plant matter and small animals. Populations breeding in temperate regions head south for winter, while tropical ones tend to stay year-round.
Where to find
-
In southern European cities during the breeding season, an Egyptian vulture may perch on a rooftop.
-
During the warmer parts of the day over dry plains and low hills, watch for circling in rising air.
-
At landfills in Iberia, look for feeding activity — these sites are an important food source there.
