The Palm-Nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) is a bird of prey, a raptor, and an accipiter. It is also known as the Vulturine Fish Eagle. It is related to the buzzard and the eagle.
The adult Palm-Nut Vulture is all white except for black areas in its wings and tail. It has a red patch around each eye.
The adult Palm-Nut Vulture grows to about 60 centimetres (24 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 150 centimetres (59 inches). It is one of the smallest vultures in the world.
It is found in coastal areas on the African continent, particularly from Kenya to South Africa.
The adult female lays one egg. Both parents sit on the egg until it hatches after 4-6 weeks.
The chick has brown and white feathers, and does not gain its all-white colour for 2-3 years. The chick has yellow eye patches until it gains its white adult feathers.
The photographed Palm-Nut Vulture juvenile is now 16 months old. It was born on 29 May 2019 in the Paris Zoo in France. I first photographed it in the Zoo’s baby nursery when it ws seven months old.
Location of photographs: Paris Zoo, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM