BIRDS OF BANDHAVGARH

VULTURES

INDIAN LONG-BILLED (GRIFFON) VULTURE

RED-HEADED (KING) VULTURE

Sarcogyps calvus

SPECIES INFORMATION:

Eggs: 1
Incubation: 45-52 days
Fledging: 2-3 months
Length: 75-85 cm
Wingspan: 180-210 cm
Weight: 3.5-7.5 kg

SPECIES INFORMATION:

Eggs: 1
Incubation: 45 days
Fledging: days
Length: 85 cm
Wingspan: c.200 cm
Weight: 3.7-5.4 kg

DESCRIPTION

In the adult of the northern race (that found in Bandhavgarh), the bare skin of head and neck is a dirty grey-brown, sparsely powdered with white down and terminated with a buff ruff. The feathers of the back and upper-wing coverts are sepia brown, with paler edges, producing a generally pale upper-side with darker mottlings. The feathers of the under-side are light brown with dark shafts, darker brown on the axillaries. The under-wing coverts are light brown with buff edges. The eyes are brown and the legs dark grey.

The head and neck of immatures has a scattering of white down over a brown ruff. Above is mostly brown with pale rufus edges to the feathers and distinct rufus/buff shaft streaks. The crop patch is brown. The under-side is light brown, with cream streaks. The thighs, abdomen and under-tail coverts are paler, and the under-wing coverts are almost white.

Classified as "Critically Endangered" because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, probably as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac, perhaps in combination with other causes: Habitat loss and degradation; Intensive agriculture and industrial farming; Pollution affecting habitat and/or species Source: 2006 - Critically Endangered (IUCN 2006)

This vulture is now becoming extremely rare. There have been links made between pesticides (DDT) used in farming that make the eggs of the vulture ultra-thin and susceptible to breakage. In those national parks where the tigers are protected, vengeful herdsmen who have lost cattle poison the carcass in order to kill the tiger responsible. This act also leads to the death of all the other creatures that scavenge for carrion.

DESCRIPTION

The black plumage, bare red legs, head and wattles, and white thigh patches in flight make the adult difficult to mistake. The bare skin on the head varies from red to orange. The ruff is black, and there is a circle of white down across the breast. The rest of the plumage is black, browner around the area of the crop and lower back and rump; two white patches just above the thigh joint, and a white line at the base of the flight quills visible when the wing is extended. The iris can be reddish brown, yellow or red. In flight a narrow white line can be seen at the base of the flight feathers separating them from the black wing coverts.

This recently redefined species is classified as "Critically Endangered" because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, probably as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac, perhaps in combination with other causes: Habitat loss and degradation; Intensive agriculture and industrial farming; Pollution affecting habitat and/or species Source: 2006 - Critically Endangered (IUCN 2006)

Diet

The diet of the Long-billed Vulture consists of carrion, usually putrid, but sometimes fresh. It is customary in some parts of their range for human corpses to be placed in high places, from where the Long-billed Vulture will feed. This practice has a deep cultural and religious significance.

DIET

Carrion, including small dead animals neglected by other vultures.

HABITAT

The Long-billed or Indian Griffon Vulture can be found in the Indian sub-Continent and across towards northern Malaysia, where a few straggles might appear. It prefers open country, cultivated land and natural savannah, shunning rain forest and is resident throughout its range. They nest high up on rocky outcrops where the geography protects their nests from scavengers. Vultures also nest high due to their vast size. If you are already high up, its far easier to glide from your nest and catch a thermal.

HABITAT

It frequents uninhabited jungle and cultivated areas alike and of all vultures is most likely to be found in forest or dense woodland with high rainfall. It roosts on trees, occasionally on buildings or cliffs, often in some numbers together.

WHERE TO LOOK

Up, in short. As soon as the sun begins to warm the land and create thermal updraughts, the vultures begin to soar in the air. From the top of the fort you can, in some location, peer down onto the ledges where the vultures nest. This is probably the best place as you can watch the vultures soar gracefully at eye level

WHERE TO LOOK

Up, in short. As soon as the sun begins to warm the land and create thermal updraughts, the vultures begin to soar in the air. From the top of the fort you can, in some location, peer down onto the ledges where the vultures nest. This is probably the best place as you can watch the vultures soar gracefully at eye level