Red Headed Vulture Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Red Headed Vulture
Let us learn about the vulture who is typically described as ‘Bald’, but have a peculiar red head.
- Name – Red-Headed Vulture
- Scientific Name- Sarcogyps calvus
- ‘Calvus‘ is Bald in Latin.
- Size- 85 cm
Distribution –
Red Headed Vulture is found in the countries of Nepal, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Singapore, China, Bhutan, etc.
Habitat-
This Vulture can be spotted in Deciduous forests in which the habitats include Foothill regions, River valleys, Semi-desert areas and woodlands.
Appearance –
Red Headed Vulture has Bald skin on its head with a bright red colour. The beak is hooked to tear apart and consume the flesh. There is a distinctive ‘White Patch’ on the neck. The feathers are Dark brown and black with pale brown patches on the wings.
Claws (legs) legs are Red.
There is a difference between Male and Female Red Headed Vulture appearance in terms of ‘Iris’.
If one spots a Red Headed Vulture, examine the eyes with Binoculars. Iris is the part near the eyeball. Male Red Headed Vulture has Dark Iris and Female Red Headed Vulture have Pale brown Iris, present in the eyes.
These Vultures have adopted a Sedentary (Seated) lifestyle.
But they have a flight which goes upto 3000m level high above Sea Level.
Food
Vultures are Scavengers. It means they feed upon the dead animals, that is ‘Carcasses’.
They can also target an injured animal.
Like any other ‘Birds of Prey’, that is Carnivore Birds, Vultures have a strategic hunting technique. They Soar (fly slowly) in the sky and locate the prey on the ground.
Courtship and Nesting –
To impress each other Male and Female Red Headed Vultures perform Aerial Displays. They have some unique flight moves to attract each other’s attention.
The pair built the Nest together with the help of Grass and Fur. They can also use some other birds’ nests by making some repairs. Incubation is performed by both parents.
After the chick hatch, they need regular care for 2 months. Both parents look after this care for the young.
Ecological Role and Conservation Status-
Despite being ‘Scavengers’, an important role in the Food Chain, Red Headed Vultures are ‘Critically Endangered’. It means the count of the Red Headed Vultures is coming down they might get Extinct (no existence).
This tragedy is due to ‘Diclofenac’, a medicine given to cattle for economic purposes which are eventually fed by Red Headed Vultures through Cattles Carcasses.
There is a Conservation programme conducted for Vultures, to overcome the Conservation Status.
Also See: More Birds and Details