Hooded Vulture
NameHooded Vulture
Common NameHooded Vulture
Scientific NameNecrosyrtes monachus
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)165
Length (cm)67
Weight (g)2050
Plumage DetailsAdults display dark brown body plumage with a pale creamy-white rump and underwing coverts. The head and neck are largely featherless and pink to reddish-pink, with a sparse covering of downy feathers forming a 'hood' on the crown.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a silent bird, the Hooded Vulture can produce a range of hisses, grunts, and squeals, particularly when interacting with other vultures at a carcass or around the nest.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, east to Ethiopia and Somalia, and south through much of East and Southern Africa.
Identifying Featurespink featherless head and neck, dark brown body plumage, relatively small size for a vulture, pale rump, slender bill
Description
The Hooded Vulture is a relatively small Old World vulture characterized by its distinctive pink, featherless head and neck, contrasting with its dark brown body plumage. It is a common scavenger across sub-Saharan Africa, often seen feeding on carrion and refuse.
