Vultures in the African Savanna

African White-Backed

• African White-backed Vultures are the most common species of vulture in Africa. Their range lies in the northern areas of the continent. Their name derives from the white plumage on their backside. White-backed Vultures feed on primarily large game, from hippopotamus to elephants. Up to 200 vultures can scavenge a large animal at the same time. Outside of the savanna, they also inhabit plains and desert regions.

Ruppel's Griffon

• A Ruppel's Griffon, also called a Ruppel Vulture, is one of the most common vultures in Africa, next to the White-backed Vulture. It's covered with black and brown feathers, with small white plumage on its head and neck. This species of vulture is completely dependent on finding large carrion. The Ruppel Vulture is a social bird, nesting in colonies of more than 200 members.

Lappet-Faced

• A Lappet-faced Vulture is easy to identify by its naked pink head and the folds of skin on the side of its neck. It doesn't rely on carrion, eating ants, termites and occasionally attacking flamingo colonies. Lappet-faced Vultures are solitary birds, living alone or in pairs. Approximately 8,500 are left in the wild.

White-Headed

• The White-headed Vulture is a mid-sized bird with a prominent colorful beak and a white face contrasted against a black body. It flies lower than most vultures, enabling it to reach prey first, according to the Bird Life International website. The population is in decline, with an estimated 7,000 to 12,500 left in the wild.

Egyptian

• The Egyptian Vulture got its name from its common appearance on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs. This species developed the unique ability to use tools; using sticks and stones as projectiles to crack open eggs. Egyptian Vultures can be identified by their prominent white feathers, contrasted by the black on their wingtips.

Palm-Nut

• Palm-nut Vultures have the unique distinction of feeding mostly on plant matter, unlike other birds of prey. Palm Nut Vultures do eat fish and crabs, and occasionally eat carrion. This species has white plumage with distinct black wings and tail feathers. It lives wherever it can find oil palms, which includes the African Savanna.

Hooded

• Hooded Vultures are a small species of vulture. Hooded Vultures can be identified by both their small size and their reddish-pink facial skin. While they do live in the savanna, they mostly live in the desert and around human settlements, scavenging from garbage. Due to their small size, they are low on the pecking order and must wait for bigger vultures to finish carcasses.