Hooded vulture

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

MarnixR


Hooded vulture

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

Population 197,000
85% decline in population over the last 50 years

The Hooded Vulture is a bird of prey that performs a critical function in maintaining the health of its habitat. Endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, it is the smallest of the region’s vultures, which perhaps contributes to its lesser-known status compared to its larger relatives.

The ‘hood’ of the Hooded Vulture, from which it gets its name, is a layer of short, downy feathers that covers its head and neck, creating a distinctive ‘hooded’ appearance. This, along with its bare, wrinkled head, not only gives it a unique, if somewhat intimidating appearance but also is highly functional. The lack of feathers on the head is an evolutionary adaptation to its scavenging lifestyle; it helps keep the bird clean as it delves into carcasses.

Contrary to popular belief, the Hooded Vulture has a relatively good sense of smell, which is unusual for Old World vultures. This sense allows them to detect carrion over large distances. Their hooked beaks are not as robust as those of larger scavengers, but they are perfectly adapted to tear into the softer parts of carcasses that other predators might leave behind. This makes the Hooded Vulture an important part of the cleanup crew of the wild, picking up after larger carnivores and other scavengers have had their fill.

The ecological role of the Hooded Vulture cannot be overstated. By consuming dead animals, they help to prevent the spread of diseases such as anthrax and botulism that can affect wildlife and sometimes even human populations. They are, therefore, not just scavengers but also sanitary workers of the natural world.

Despite their vital role, Hooded Vultures face significant threats. They are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with their numbers in rapid decline due to a range of human activities. Poisoning, both intentional (to control predator numbers or for use in traditional medicine) and unintentional (through lead ingestion from carcasses with bullet fragments), poses a significant risk.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Angola
2021
Benin
2021
Botswana
2021
Burkina Faso
2021
Burundi
2021
Cameroon
2021
Central Af. Rep.
2021
Chad
2021
Côte D’ivoire
2021
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2021
Djibouti
2021
Eritrea
2021
Eswatini
2021
Ethiopia
2021
Gambia
2021
Ghana
2021
Guinea-Bissau
2021
Guinea
2021
Kenya
2021
Liberia
2021
Malawi
2021
Mali
2021
Mauritania
2021
Non-Breeding
Morocco
2021
Non-Breeding
Mozambique
2021
Namibia
2021
Niger
2021
Nigeria
2021
Rwanda
2021
Senegal
2021
Sierra Leone
2021
Somalia
2021
South Africa
2021
South Sudan
2021
Sudan
2021
Tanzania
2021
Togo
2021
Uganda
2021
Zambia
2021
Zimbabwe
2021

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No