Quick Facts about Vultures
Vultures are carnivorous birds and essentially scavengers, which feed on dead or dying animal carcasses. These endangered birds of prey are extremely useful for maintaining balance in the ecosystem and within the food chain.
Vultures are carnivorous birds and essentially scavengers, which feed on dead or dying animal carcasses. These endangered birds of prey are extremely useful for maintaining balance in the ecosystem and within the food chain.
Vultures are majestic birds which have been feared, revered and
even prayed to since centuries. These birds are at the verge of
extinction in most parts of the world, because of the ever-increasing
toxicity which has found its way into their food chain. These birds are
natural scavengers and are excellent for keeping the environment clean
of dead and rotting animal carcasses. Vultures are divided into two sub
types and are called Old World Vultures and New World Vultures. Old
world vultures are found only in Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, while
the new world vultures are found in North and South America. The only
continent where vulturous species are not found is in Antarctica.
Amazing Facts About Vultures
A group of vultures are known as wake, venue or a committee of vultures.
Vultures have distinct bald heads and necks with absolutely no feathers. A bit of fur may be present in some species, but many have naked skin on their heads and neck. This evolution helps vultures keep their faces and necks clean while feeding on carcass. Secondly their bald head helps reduce much of their internal body heat as these birds live in warmer arid terrain.
Vultures never attack healthy animals, and will only prey upon ill and dying animals. The only exception being small rodents, lizards and snakes, which are killed nonetheless.
Vultures are able to digest meat and bones easily because of the complex acids in their digestive tract. These acids are even capable of dissolving and breaking down anthrax, cholera and botulism bacteria with ease, which is not possible for other animals.
These birds are resistant to diseases which would otherwise kill most animals including humans.
Their defensive behavior against an incoming threat such as hyenas and other predators, is to regurgitate and vomit onto the predators face. This vomit is strewn in a projectile motion and contains acids. The bird uses this tactic as deviation to distract the predator, after which it flies away. This regurgitated food if still undigested acts as food for the predators. In case the food has been digested, it acts as a deterrent, because it emits a foul smell and stings the predator's eyes, because of the acids present in the vomit.
Most vulture species are aggressive, barring the Turkey vulture, which is passive and docile in nature.
Vultures urine contains disinfectants which is why these birds often urinate on their legs, in order to keep them free of infection and germs.
They have heavy and sharp beaks which are used for tearing into thick flesh. If in case they cannot tear into the dead animals hide, they will wait in wakes or venues for bigger carnivorous animals to attack the carcass.
Each vulture can consume about 20% of its own body weight during each feeding. The average weight of an adult vulture will be 12 kg, if it's well nourished.
These large and heavy birds are exceptional fliers and have an expansive wingspan, which can extend to 10 feet or 3 meters. The Ruppell's Griffon vulture is the highest flying species of vulture and has been recorded to fly as high as 37,000 feet. This incident occurred in 1973, when a Griffon vulture crashed with an airplane.
The California Condor and the Andean Condor vultures with wingspans up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) have been recorded as the largest vultures and one of the largest flying birds in the world.
Old world scavengers do not have a developed sense of smell and are predominantly dependent on their power of sight. However, these birds find it very hard to see during the night and cannot hunt in darkness.
Most vulture species mate for life and a female vulture will lay 2-3 eggs per mating season. Vultures attain the age of maturity by the 5th-7th year and have a life expectancy of 15-20 years.
These birds make nests using sticks and leaves, and usually built them in tree trunks and on top of cliffs. The same nest will be reused by the same vultures, for the next few years as long as it stays functional and safe for occupation.
Chick vultures feed on regurgitated food given by either of the parents.
Vultures are also among the only birds to use tools to simplify their feeding habits. these birds are known to use stones to break open ostrich eggs.
Vultures are fascinating birds and are crucial for maintaining the health of the ecosystem. These birds are fast dwindling in numbers, which will cause an increase in the outbreak of diseases such as rabies, anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease. The reason being that other predators do not cleanse the carcass completely off the flesh, and always leave some flesh behind. Nor do animals have the ability to digest dangerous bacteria and viruses.
Amazing Facts About Vultures
A group of vultures are known as wake, venue or a committee of vultures.
Vultures have distinct bald heads and necks with absolutely no feathers. A bit of fur may be present in some species, but many have naked skin on their heads and neck. This evolution helps vultures keep their faces and necks clean while feeding on carcass. Secondly their bald head helps reduce much of their internal body heat as these birds live in warmer arid terrain.
Vultures never attack healthy animals, and will only prey upon ill and dying animals. The only exception being small rodents, lizards and snakes, which are killed nonetheless.
Vultures are able to digest meat and bones easily because of the complex acids in their digestive tract. These acids are even capable of dissolving and breaking down anthrax, cholera and botulism bacteria with ease, which is not possible for other animals.
These birds are resistant to diseases which would otherwise kill most animals including humans.
Their defensive behavior against an incoming threat such as hyenas and other predators, is to regurgitate and vomit onto the predators face. This vomit is strewn in a projectile motion and contains acids. The bird uses this tactic as deviation to distract the predator, after which it flies away. This regurgitated food if still undigested acts as food for the predators. In case the food has been digested, it acts as a deterrent, because it emits a foul smell and stings the predator's eyes, because of the acids present in the vomit.
Most vulture species are aggressive, barring the Turkey vulture, which is passive and docile in nature.
Vultures urine contains disinfectants which is why these birds often urinate on their legs, in order to keep them free of infection and germs.
They have heavy and sharp beaks which are used for tearing into thick flesh. If in case they cannot tear into the dead animals hide, they will wait in wakes or venues for bigger carnivorous animals to attack the carcass.
Each vulture can consume about 20% of its own body weight during each feeding. The average weight of an adult vulture will be 12 kg, if it's well nourished.
These large and heavy birds are exceptional fliers and have an expansive wingspan, which can extend to 10 feet or 3 meters. The Ruppell's Griffon vulture is the highest flying species of vulture and has been recorded to fly as high as 37,000 feet. This incident occurred in 1973, when a Griffon vulture crashed with an airplane.
The California Condor and the Andean Condor vultures with wingspans up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) have been recorded as the largest vultures and one of the largest flying birds in the world.
Old world scavengers do not have a developed sense of smell and are predominantly dependent on their power of sight. However, these birds find it very hard to see during the night and cannot hunt in darkness.
Most vulture species mate for life and a female vulture will lay 2-3 eggs per mating season. Vultures attain the age of maturity by the 5th-7th year and have a life expectancy of 15-20 years.
These birds make nests using sticks and leaves, and usually built them in tree trunks and on top of cliffs. The same nest will be reused by the same vultures, for the next few years as long as it stays functional and safe for occupation.
Chick vultures feed on regurgitated food given by either of the parents.
Vultures are also among the only birds to use tools to simplify their feeding habits. these birds are known to use stones to break open ostrich eggs.
Vultures are fascinating birds and are crucial for maintaining the health of the ecosystem. These birds are fast dwindling in numbers, which will cause an increase in the outbreak of diseases such as rabies, anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease. The reason being that other predators do not cleanse the carcass completely off the flesh, and always leave some flesh behind. Nor do animals have the ability to digest dangerous bacteria and viruses.
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