The Lappet-faced Vulture, African eared vulture
or Nubian Vulture - Aegypius tracheliotos - is the largest, and among
the rarest, of all of the African vultures. This large, long and square-winged vulture is black-looking with white thighs
and white bar running across leading edge of underwing in flight. Like many
vultures, it has a bald head which is pink/reddish with loose folds of skin
which look like ears. It has the strongest beak of any vulture. They are the
most powerful and aggressive of the vultures and other vultures will usually cede a carcass to them.
The species
inhabits dry savannah, arid plains, deserts and open mountain slopes.
The Lappet-faced
Vulture is a scavenging bird, feeding mostly from animal carcasses, focusing on
the skin, tendons and ligaments of these carcasses. It is also known to hunt, taking
a variety of small reptiles, fish, birds and mammals, and has been observed
group-hunting flamingo chicks.
The nest is built by both sexes
and is usually placed at the top of a tree. It consists of a large platform of
sticks lined with dry grass, hair and skin. Lappet-faced vultures are monogamous with a life long pair
bond. The breeding season in southern Africais from February to October, peaking
from May to June. They usually lay a single egg which is incubated by both parents
for about 55 days. The chick is brooded almost constantly by both adults for
the first four weeks, ceasing completely after another four weeks. It is fed by
both parents, leaving the nest at approximately 120 to 128 days and becoming
fully independent up to 170 days later.
They breed in Egypt, Senegal,
Niger, Mauritania, Mali,
Burkina Faso, Chad, Sudan,
Ethiopia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda,
Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,
Botswana, Zimbabwe, South
Africa, Swaziland,
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman,
Yemen and possibly Libya. The
species also occurs in The Gambia, northern Guinea,
Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Central
African Republic and southern Angola. The African population is
estimated to be in the region of 8,000 and there may be 500 in the Middle East. The total population is in decline.
This species is classified as
Vulnerable since only a small, declining population remains, owing primarily to
poisoning and persecution, as well as ecosystem alterations.
These large
striking vultures can be seen on the following Aves Birding
Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves
Highlands/Tembe Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves North West
Tour/Safari/Adventure.