Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Egyptian Vulture
A scavenging bird maintains the balance of the ecosystem but has its survival in threat.
Name- Egyptian Vulture, White Scavenger Vulture.
Scientific name- Neophron Percnopterus
Size- 60cm- 70cm
Type – Aves
How and where one can spot Egyptian Vultures? What do they eat?
This white with black wings and yellow tearing beak bird is found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, etc.
This bird has a triangular tail. And the body has a hint of buff colours on a white surface. The Eye to beak whole area is yellow. Juveniles are black and brownish.
The calls like meowing, hissing and screeching are to identify Egyptian Vulture. They even growl when threatened.
They are found in Temperate as well as Tropical regions. Grasslands, Outskirts of the town or villages, Desserts, and Forests are the habitats where Egyptian Vultures are seen roosting on Trees or soaring with the wind.
These birds are seen ‘ Allopreening’ each other, which means they Preen each other with their beaks to clean the plumages.
The Vultures are natural Scavengers among the Birds. They feed on Carrion, mammals, reptiles, small birds and also vegetable matter.
Egyptian vultures have been witnessed tossing the eggs of Ostrich or other birds with pebbles and stones to crack them.
Breeding, Courtship and Nesting.
Both males and females display courtship by soaring high and then coming down with a spiral and swoop.
These are Monogamous birds, at least for more than one Breeding season.
And use the same nest, which is a Platform nest. A flat circular nest in which a bird can land easily.
Platform nests are made up of Twigs with a forked branch of a Tree or a Cliff.
The Egyptian vultures’ nests are close to each other.
There are 2 eggs in a clutch. The red colour eggs with brown and black spots.
Incubation is for 42 days. Chicks are dependent for a month and fledge after 90-110 days.
Lifespan & Population status-
The life span of Egyptian Vulture is 37 years but the following are the reasons for their decreasing Population.
Egyptian Vultures are poisoned with Diclofenac indirectly by Villagers when they give Diclofenac doses to cattle.
The Vultures end up feeding on those cattle leading to disruption of their health and life cycle.
Some Egyptian vultures are electrocuted by the Electric wires and hunting is also a reason for the decline in their population.
Also See ⇒ Eagle Facts