Old World vulture

Lappet-faced Vulture ( Aegypius tracheliotus ) ( left) and white-backed vulture ( Gyps africanus)

The Old World vulture ( Aegypiinae ) are a subfamily of the Accipitridae ( Accipitridae ) and thus belong to the birds of prey ( Accipitriformes ).

Appearance

The Old World vulture are large to very large birds. You can reach heights of up to about a meter and a wingspan of up to 2.90 m. Typical of many species is a ruff, from which protrudes a long naked or kurzbefiederter neck.

Distribution and habitat

Old World vulture occur in southern Europe, Africa and Asia. As habitat open landscapes such as steppes and semi- deserts, but also mountains come into question.

Nutrition

Old World vulture are mostly scavengers. Sailing at high altitude, they look for carcasses and other dogs that have such spies.

Genera and species

• Cap Vulture ( Necrosyrtes ) Cap Vulture ( N. monachus)

• White-backed vultures (G. africanus)
• Bengal vulture ( G. bengalensis )
• Vulture ( G. coprotheres )
• Griffon vulture ( G. fulvus)
• Himalayan vulture, snow vulture ( G. himalayensis )
• India vulture ( G. indicus)
• Sperbergeier (G. rueppellii )
• Slender-billed vulture ( G. tenuirostris )

• Vulture ( Ae. monachus)
• Aegypius prepyrenaicus †

• Wool -headed Vulture ( T. occipitalis )

• Bald -headed Vulture ( S. calvus )

Through molecular genetic studies, the three formerly also included species bearded vulture, Egyptian vulture and palm vultures were recognized as not belonging to the Old World vultures, and placed in its own subfamily Gypaetinae.