Palm-nut Vulture
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Biopics" title="User:Biopics">Hans Hillewaert</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
NamePalm-nut Vulture
Common NamePalm-nut Vulture
Scientific NameGypohierax angolensis
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)142.5
Length (cm)61
Weight (g)1550
Plumage DetailsSub-adults, like the one pictured, have creamy-white underparts and head, with mottled brown and white upperparts and dark brown flight feathers. The bare facial skin is yellowish. Adults are predominantly white with black flight feathers and a bare red facial patch.
Vocalization / CallGenerally quiet, but can produce a series of harsh caws, croaks, and grunts, especially around nesting sites or when competing for food.
Primary Dietfrugivore
Primary Habitatsforest, savanna, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in coastal and riverine areas with oil palm trees, from Senegal east to Kenya and south to Angola and northern South Africa.
Identifying Featurespredominantly white body plumage (adults), black flight feathers (adults), bare red facial skin (adults), yellowish bare facial skin (juveniles/sub-adults), unique diet of palm nuts, relatively small size for a vulture
Description
This medium-sized vulture is unique among raptors for its largely vegetarian diet, primarily consisting of oil palm nuts. Adults display striking white plumage with black flight feathers, while juveniles and sub-adults are browner. They are typically found near oil palm trees in their African range.
