Some Interesting Facts About Vultures
- A group of 50 vultures can reduce the carcass of a sheep or impala to skin and bones in 20 minutes.
- Vultures feed on carrion (dead carcasses) and do not kill their own prey. Their feet are weak and better suited to walking on the ground than to picking up prey.
- Vultures are actually very hygienic birds and large groups often gather around favorite water holes to bathe, preen and drink.
What are the Largest of the World’s 22 Vulture Species
- Cape Griffon Vulture: Mass 9.29kg, wingspan 2.57m
- Lappet Faced Vulture: Mass 6.60kg, wingspan 2.64m
- Californian Condor: Mass 10.10kg, wingspan 2.79m
- Andean Condor: Mass 11.70kg, wingspan 2.99m
The Cape Griffon Vulture
- Has the smallest distribution of any Old World vulture – southernmost 12 percent of Africa.
- Longevity is unknown but is estimated to be 50-70 years.
- Only 20 percent of immature birds may survive until adulthood.
- Age at first breeding is between 6 and 8 years.
- Breeding success is estimated at 60 percent.
- Both adults incubate what is usually one egg. The egg takes 53-57 days to hatch.
- Nestlings take 140 days to fledge.
No comments:
Post a Comment