The African White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) is an African bird of prey. It is a raptor, an accipiter, related to eagles, kites, buzzards, griffons, and hawks.
The African White-Backed Vulture has dark-brown feathers, except for lighter white and brown back feathers, and a white neck ruff (collar). Its head and neck are bare, with just a few downy-soft feathers. It has a grey-black beak and dark eyes. It has very large wings and short tail feathers.
African White-Backed Vulture
It can grow to 78-98 centimetres (31-39 inches), with a wingspan of 196-225 centimetres (72-84 inches) wide.
The African White-Backed Vulture is a scavenger, feeding mostly on carcasses of dead animals.
The African White-Backed Vulture is native to eastern and southern Africa. It likes open plains, dry savannah, and grasslands.
It nests in trees. Females lay one egg, which both parents sit on until it hatches after 54-56 days.
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
African White-Backed Vulture
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM