Torgos tracheliotos tracheliotos

(Forster, 1796)

Vernacular names
English : Lappet-faced vulture
French : Vautour oricou

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Accipitriformes
Family : Accipitridae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Very large vulture species reaching a size of 115 cm for a weight of 9.4 kg and a wingspan of 280 cm. Dark brown plumage with white legs and undertail. Head and upper neck bare with prominent lappets. Bare skin is bluish to pink-red.

Range and habitat
The species has a large but fragmented range, going from Senegal and Mauritania to South Egypt, south to North South Africa, east to Arabian peninsula. This subspecies occurs in most of the range except Egypt and north Sudan. Lives in steppes, desert and dry savannas with isolated trees, up to 4500 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is declining dramatically because of poisoning from various chemicals found in carcasses. Hunting and loss of breeding trees are threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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