This bird is notable for its striking appearance, characterized by a bright yellow bill and face, which contrasts sharply with its otherwise white plumage. The back and chest are also whitish, but it is the contrasting black primary and secondary feathers on the wings that lend this bird a distinctive and easily recognizable silhouette in flight.
Egyptian Vultures pair for life, exhibiting monogamous behavior that is a testament to the social complexity of these creatures. They are known to engage in mutual preening and display rituals, which strengthen their pair bonds. Their loyalty extends to their migratory habits as they traverse great distances between their breeding and wintering grounds in the company of their mates. These migrations take them across diverse landscapes, from the southern parts of Europe through Asia and into northern Africa.
While in flight, Egyptian Vultures often ride thermals, which are rising currents of warm air. Soaring is an energy-efficient way to cover vast areas in search of food, and these vultures frequently join other scavenging birds in these thermal currents. This behavior not only conserves energy but also increases their chances of locating food, as the collective eyes of many birds are better than one.
As scavengers, Egyptian Vultures play a crucial role in their ecosystems by consuming carrion. They are visual hunters who do not rely on the sense of smell to locate their meals, unlike some other vulture species. Their sharp eyes can spot the carcasses of dead animals from a great distance. In addition to feeding on carrion, they are known to consume a variety of other organic waste, including human refuse and animal feces.
Another fascinating aspect of the Egyptian Vulture’s behavior is their use of tools, which is rare among birds. They are known to use rocks to break open ostrich eggs, a skill that requires a level of intelligence and problem-solving ability not commonly found in avian species.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Official estimate
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Croatia
Official estimate
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Official estimate
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hungary
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Lesotho
Official estimate
Libya
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Official estimate
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Official estimate
Russia
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
Official estimate
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
Official estimate
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Yemen
ZimbabweRecent Updates
July 2024: Conservationists in Bulgaria are rejoicing as the population of Egyptian vultures has increased for the first time in 40 years. The team at the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria (BSPB) noted 35 occupied territories of Egyptian vultures, marking an almost 20% rise from the previous year.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size)/ Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
