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Egyptian vulture Facts

Egyptian vulture Facts
Egyptian vulture is one of 23 known vulture species. This bird can be found in the southern parts of Europe, in eastern and central parts of Asia, North Africa, Arabia, Tanzania, Angola, Namibia, Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands. Egyptian vulture can survive in coastal areas, open plains, savannas, forests and villages. Number of Egyptian vultures decreased drastically because of intoxication (they feed on carcasses that can be full of poisons and lead), electrocution (after landing on the electric fences) and avian pox disease. Egyptian vultures are endangered species.
Interesting Egyptian vulture Facts:
Egyptian vultures are the smallest of all vultures. They can reach 23 to 28 inches in length and 3.25 to 4.5 pounds of weight. They have a wingspan of 5.6 feet.
Egyptian vulture was worshiped by pharaohs in Egypt because of its ability to remove garbage and remaining of dead animals. For this reason, Egyptian vulture is also known as "Pharaoh's Chicken".
Adult Egyptian vultures have yellow face without feathers and body covered with white or pale-grey plumage. Flight feathers are black. Young birds have darker plumage. They are usually brown or blackish-brown in color.
Egyptian vultures have long and narrow yellow bill that ends with black tip.
Egyptian vultures mostly feed on carcasses of dead birds and small mammals. They can also eat rotten fruits and vegetables. Rarely, they will hunt weak and injured small animals.
Egyptian vultures also eat eggs. They will use stones to break the hard outer shell. Egyptian vulture is one of the rare bird species that is clever enough to use a "tool" to get the food it wants.
Egyptian vulture is diurnal bird (active during the day) that can travel up to 80 miles while searching for food.
Most Egyptian vultures migrate during the year. Birds that live in colder climate will move toward Sahara during winter.
Egyptian vulture is a solitary animal that will gather only for mating and raising of young chicks.
Egyptian vulture is monogamous species (one couple mates for a lifetime).
Both parents build nest that can be located on the cliff, in the cave or on the tree (depending on the environment they inhabit).
Nest can be very large, almost 5 feet wide. It is made of sticks, wool, rags and remaining of food.
Female lays two eggs. Both parents sit on eggs during incubation period which lasts 42 days.
Both parents regurgitate swallowed food to feed their chicks until they reach age of three months. After that period, young chicks will start looking for food together with their parents. Egyptian vulture becomes sexually mature at age of six years.
Average lifespan of Egyptian vulture in the wild is 30 years and 37 years in captivity.


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