WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – (See images below)
The White-backed Vulture was also called African White-backed Vulture as it is endemic to Africa (as its Latin name implies as well). As with other vultures, the head and neck are bald with a white ruff at the base of the neck. The ‘white’ of the back is rather light grey and not always obvious. The under parts are white.
This vulture feeds on carrion. It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ due to a steady decline in its population. Several factors have a negative impact on this vulture, such as elephants destroying the trees they need for nesting, electrocution from power lines, poisoning from pesticides, or from eating carrion that has been poisoned, or poisoning from diclofenac, a chemical used by veterinarians as an anti-inflammatory, and which is passed thru the carrion.
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| White-backed vulture juveniles, Tanzania |
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| White-backed vulture in flight, Tanzania |
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| White-backed vultures, Tanzania |
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| More white-backed vultures, Tanzania |
