White-backed vultures are obligate scavengers with a high level of specialization on carrion. Their primary food sources are the carcasses of large, grazing animals found the wooded savannahs where it lives. This includes warthogs, zebras, gazelles, ostriches and even livestock. Their beaks are medium-sized not adapted for tearing through tough skin, so they are limited to eating soft tissues, such as the viscera, using a pulling feeding tactic.
White-backed vultures circle through the sky in search of freshly dead animals, often following other scavenger birds and mammalian carnivores to find it. Gyps vultures are considered social vultures which rely heavily on conspecifics to provide information about the position of food and carcasses. Once a carcass is found, they will begin wheeling in the sky, signalling their discovery to other vultures.[citation needed] White-backed vultures feed in groups and are often one of the first vulture species to arrive at a carcass. This leads to this species having a high dominance at carcasses in comparison to other vulture species such as white-headed, hooded, and Egyptian vultures.
The White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) is a medium-sized vulture, characterized by down feathers on the head and neck, broad wings, and short tail feathers. It boasts a distinctive white neck ruff, with adults displaying a whitish back that contrasts starkly with the rest of their dark plumage. Juveniles present a more uniform dark appearance. This species typically weighs between 4.2 to 7.2 kg, measures 78 to 98 cm in length, and spans a wingspan of 1.96 to 2.25 m.
To identify the white-backed vulture, look for its white neck ruff and the contrasting white back against dark plumage in adults. Juveniles are darker overall. The species has a relatively short tail and broad wings suited for soaring.
The white-backed vulture is found in a variety of habitats across Africa, from the Sahel region to the savannahs of the south. It prefers wooded savannahs where it can find large trees suitable for nesting.
White-backed vultures nest in trees. They typically choose tall trees along riparian habitats and show strong a preference for Acacia species. The nests are large, around 1m in diameter, and are made of large sticks and lined with leaves and grasses.
This vulture is widespread across Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, through Ethiopia and Somalia in the east, and down to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa in the south.
White-backed vultures are social creatures, often seen circling the skies in search of carrion. They feed in groups and are typically among the first vultures to arrive at a carcass, asserting dominance over other species. After gorging themselves, they may rest with wings spread to bask in the sun.
White-backed vultures nest in trees, showing a preference for tall species such as Acacias. Their nests are large, constructed with sticks, and lined with leaves and grasses. The breeding cycle is lengthy, with an incubation period of around 8 weeks and a nestling period of 4-5 months.
Obligate scavengers, white-backed vultures feed primarily on the carcasses of large grazing animals. They are limited to softer tissues due to their medium-sized beaks, which are not adapted for tearing through tough skin.
The white-backed vulture is currently listed as Critically Endangered. It has suffered rapid population declines due to habitat loss, anthropogenic disturbances, poisoning, and collisions with power lines. Conservation efforts are critical for the survival of this species.
