From Opus

Photo by Steve G
Masai Mara, Kenya, July 2010

Alternative names: Rueppell's Griffon Vulture, Rueppell's Vulture, Rüppells Vulture

Gyps rueppellii

Gyps rüpellii, Gyps rueppelli

[edit] Identification

One metre (3 ft.) Sexes are alike: mottled brown or black overall with a white-brown underparts and thin, dirty-white fluff covering the head and neck. White collar, yellow or amber eye, the crop patch deep chocolate brown.

Photo by Steve G
Masai Mara, Kenya, August 2007

[edit] Distribution

Mauritania and Senegal east across Africa to Ethiopia and western Somalia and south to eastern Zaire, Uganda, west Kenya and northern Tanzania.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two races are recognised: the nominate across most of range with larger and paler G. r. erlangeri in Ethiopia and Somalia.

[edit] Habitat

Arid and mountainous areas, particularly semi-desert and the fringes of deserts.

[edit] Behaviour

They feed on large animal carcasses. They have been known to take live prey on occasion, but this is rare.

[edit] External Links