A home with a view
Because vultures rely on sight to locate their food, they prefer open, arid land instead of forested areas. They live primarily in the high cliffs of central African countries, including Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Guinea.
An important diet
As scavengers, vultures perform the crucial role of removing deceased animals to prevent the spread of disease and keep the environment clean. Vultures can eat this food source without ill effects because acids in their stomach help break down harmful bacteria.
The vulture look
Vultures’ bodies are mottled brown or black with a whitish-brown underbelly and thin white fluff covering the head and neck. Vultures have long necks and small heads which allow them to dig deep inside animal carcasses. Also, their featherless heads allow them to dig deep into an animal’s body cavity without getting too messy.
Birds of a feather
Ruppell’s griffon vultures roost, nest, and gather to feed in large flocks. They make large nests of sticks lined with grass and leaves.
Vulture teamwork!
Ruppell’s griffon vultures pair up for life. Both parents share in incubating, brooding (sitting on the eggs), and feeding the chicks. A single egg is laid each year, and the young bird is ready to fly in 12 weeks.