Egyptian vulture
The Egyptian vulture is a small bird of prey and scavenger, recognized for its distinctive behavior and appearance. Measuring about 2 to 2.5 feet in length, this bird has a wingspan of four to six feet and features beige or white plumage with black wing edges. Notable for its unique feeding technique, the Egyptian vulture is known to throw rocks at ostrich eggs to break them open. These birds primarily inhabit grasslands and areas with little vegetation around the Mediterranean Sea and eastern regions of the former Soviet Union, as well as urban areas where they scavenge for food.
Diet-wise, they mainly consume carrion, but will also eat discarded human waste and insects stirred up by farming activities. The Egyptian vulture is Europe's only long-distance migratory vulture, breeding from mid-March to late August and forming monogamous pairs that return to the same nest each year. Despite their adaptability, they face significant threats from human development and habitat loss, leading to their classification as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In captivity, these vultures can live up to 37 years, while in the wild, a young bird takes about four to five years to reach adulthood.
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Egyptian vulture
The Egyptian vulture is known both within and outside the country of Egypt as a bird of prey and scavenger. Although it is a small bird of prey, about the size of a raven, it is strong. It has a reputation for throwing rocks as heavy as two pounds (one kilogram) at ostrich eggs to break the shells.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Neophron
Species: Percnopterus
Egyptian vultures are in the group of birds of prey known as Old World vultures, which means they live on the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are 2 to 2 1/2 feet (60 to 75 centimeters) long from tip of beak to tip of tail. Their wings span between four and six feet (one to two meters). The plumage (feathering) on their underparts, backs, and front wing edges is beige or white. The other edges of their wings are black. Their heads and necks are lightly-colored and also have a white ruffle of feathers on the backs of the heads. Their faces are bare and have yellow or orange skin which is the same color as their beaks and feet.
Grasslands, steppes, and areas of little vegetation at altitudes of 12,000 feet (3,600 meters) around the Mediterranean Sea and eastern former Soviet Union are the home of these birds. They are also common sights around the garbage dumps of towns and cities. The main food in the diet of Egyptian vultures is carrion, or dead animal flesh. They frequently sit atop telephone poles and buildings to look for dead foxes, dogs, rodents, and lizards. They also eat garbage thrown out by people and even eat human waste. Insects stirred up by farmers' plows are another source of nutrition. Perhaps one of the distinguishing behaviors of these birds is their technique of smashing the eggs of ostriches or other birds. The birds pick up rocks in their beaks and throw or drop them on the eggs to smash them. They are also opportunists, meaning they will eat what they can find.
Egyptian vultures are Europe's only true long-distance migratory vulture, flying south to Africa during colder months. They return to their typical habitats to breed between mid-March and late August. A male and female pair for life and use the same nest each year. The female lays two white, red-spotted eggs in the nest. The nest usually rests on a cave ledge, on a protected rock, in a tall tree, or on the rooftop of a building. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for the 42 days before they hatch. The young eat food given to them by their parents. They are able to fledge, or fly for the first time, after 2 1/2 to 3 months. In general, only one of the two chicks survives and grows to adulthood after four to five years. The young bird lives by itself until it finds a mate but may join a flock in migration or when roosting, or sleeping.
As of 2024, the Egyptian Vulture was Europe's only globally endangered vulture. The bird was listed as Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 2021. It is threatened by human development and habitat loss.
Egyptian vultures can live as long as 37 years in captivity.
Bibliography
BirdLife International. “Egyptian Vulture.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 21 July 2021, www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695180/205187871. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
“Egyptian Vulture.” Vulture Conservation Foundation, 15 Dec. 2022, 4vultures.org/vultures/egyptian-vulture/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Rosenblatt, Ethan. “Neophron Percnopterus (Egyptian Vulture).” Animal Diversity Web, 2007, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Neophron‗percnopterus/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.