Egyptian Vulture Bird Facts (Neophron percnopterus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Egyptian Vulture is a striking bird with predominantly white plumage contrasted by black flight feathers. Its wedge-shaped tail and bare, yellow face with a slender, hooked bill are distinctive features. Adults have a body length of 55-65 cm and a 155-170 cm wingspan.

Juveniles display darker plumage, gradually acquiring the adult's white colouration over several years. Females are sometimes marginally larger in length than males, usually between 10 and 15 percent heavier.

Size

Length

55cm to 65cm

Wingspan

155cm to 170cm

Weight

1.6kg to 2.4kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White

Secondary Colour

Black Brown

Beak Colour

Yellow Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Egyptian Vulture can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Egyptian Vulture can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Egyptian Vulture can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Egyptian Vulture is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Egyptian Vultures inhabit various arid and semi-arid habitats, including savannahs, grasslands, and mountainous areas. They are found across southern Europe, northern Africa, and parts of Asia, extending to the Indian subcontinent.

In Europe, breeding populations are present in Spain, Italy, and Greece. During winter, many birds migrate to sub-Saharan Africa, while some populations in warmer regions remain resident year-round.

In 2021, an Egyptian vulture was spotted in the Scilly Isles off the southwestern coast of England: it was the first sighting of the species in the UK since 1868.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4,500 meters

Climate zones

Arid, Mediterranean, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Egyptian Vulture. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Angola Azerbaijan Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cape Verde Chad Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia France Gambia Georgia Greece Guinea India Iran Iraq Israel Italy Jordan Kenya Lebanon Libya Macedonia Mali Mauritania Morocco Namibia Nepal Niger Nigeria Oman Pakistan Portugal Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Sudan Spain Sudan Syria Tanzania Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates Western Sahara Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Afghanistan Armenia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Palestine Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Benin Cameroon Central African Republic Guinea-Bissau Uganda

Species that pass through the area during migration

Andorra Cyprus Ghana Gibraltar Kuwait Malta Togo

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Austria Bangladesh Belgium Botswana China Côte D'Ivoire Czechia Denmark Estonia Finland Hungary Mongolia Myanmar Norway Poland Russia Slovakia Slovenia Sri Lanka Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom Zimbabwe

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Egyptian Vulture demonstrates remarkable agility in flight, with its ability to soar effortlessly on thermals and perform aerial acrobatics during courtship. Its adept use of tools to crack open ostrich eggs also indicates a high level of dexterity.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong compared to larger vulture species, the Egyptian Vulture possesses moderate strength. Its ability to carry stones for egg-breaking and to handle various food items suggests a reasonable level of physical power for its size.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Egyptian Vultures show exceptional adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 4,500 metres. Their varied diet, including carrion, small live prey, eggs, and even faeces, coupled with their tool-using behaviour, demonstrates remarkable adaptability to different food sources and environmental challenges.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally, Egyptian Vultures are not particularly aggressive birds. They are often solitary or found in pairs, and while they may gather at feeding sites, they typically do not exhibit highly aggressive behaviour. Their scavenging lifestyle suggests a more opportunistic than aggressive nature.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Egyptian Vulture's ability to soar for extended periods and undertake long-distance migrations indicates good endurance. Their wide-ranging habitat, from southern Europe to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, suggests they can withstand various climatic conditions. However, they are not known for exceptional feats of endurance compared to some other migratory species.

Diet

Egyptian Vultures are opportunistic scavengers with a diverse diet. They feed on carrion, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Uniquely, they also consume eggs, faeces, and rotting fruit.

Their ability to break open eggs using stones showcases their adaptability and intelligence in foraging.

Behaviour

Egyptian Vultures are often seen soaring on thermals, using their keen eyesight to locate food. They exhibit remarkable tool-use behaviour, using stones to crack open ostrich eggs.

These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs but may gather in small groups at feeding sites or during migration.

Vocalisation

Egyptian Vultures are generally quiet birds. When vocalising, they produce a variety of weak, high-pitched calls. These include a raspy 'krak-krak' during courtship and a soft, wheezing sound when interacting at feeding sites. Nestlings emit a hissing 'seeep' when begging for food.

Nesting & Breeding

Egyptian Vultures form monogamous pairs and breed annually. The breeding season typically begins in March or April, with courtship displays including aerial acrobatics and mutual preening.

Nests are built on cliff ledges or occasionally in trees, using sticks lined with softer materials. Females usually lay two eggs, which are white with reddish-brown spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 42 days. Chicks fledge after 70-85 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Endangered ^[1]

The Egyptian Vulture is listed as Endangered due to rapid population declines. Major threats include poisoning, electrocution by power lines, and habitat loss.

Conservation efforts focus on reducing poisoning incidents, protecting nesting sites, and raising awareness about their ecological importance.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

12,400 - 36,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

White Scavenger Vulture, Pharaoh's Chicken

Family:

Accipitridae

Average Lifespan

20 to 30 years

Predators

Adult Egyptian Vultures have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to ravens, eagles, and climbing mammals like genets or martens.

Did You Know?

Egyptian Vultures are one of the few tool-using birds, using stones to break open ostrich eggs.
Their specialised digestive system allows them to consume rotting flesh without getting sick.
Ancient Egyptians revered these birds, often depicting them in hieroglyphics as symbols of royalty.

Egyptian Vulture