AdvocacyConservation and Wildlife
13 most endangered vulture species
...their uniqueness, characteristics and why they must not extinct

There are over 20 distinct species of vultures around the world most of which are currently at various degrees of extinction.
Meanwhile the extinction of these important birds may not augur well with the ecosystem because of their role in the environment.
Conservation efforts are ongoing in different parts of the world to salvage the situation. Below are 13 of the most affected species.
- African white-backed vulture – Critically endangered
African white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) is medium sized specie measuring about 94cm. Found in woodland savannah, they are low land species and they nest in loose colonies. This specie is disappearing fast largely because they do not breed rapidly. The females lay just one egg during breeding season and with that, they may not multiply rapidly since they have only one breeding season. In relation with the general threat vultures have been experiencing, conservation efforts must be deliberate for this specie to be preserved.
- Bearded vulture – Near threatened
Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is a bird of prey and one of the Old World vultures. Its closest living relative is the Egyptian vulture who shares the same tail shape with it. This vulture specie is the only known vertebrate whose diet consists almost exclusively 70-90 percent bones. It is a better breeder than its white backed cousin since it can lay up to two eggs in each breeding season
- Cape vulture – Endangered
Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is endangered. Native of southern African countries, this scavenger also lays one egg per year. In 2015 it was classified endangered. Efforts must be deliberate for it to remain in the near future.
- Egyptian vulture – Endangered
Also called Pharaoh’s chicken or white vulture, this specie is another type of the Old World vultures and the only member of the genus Neophron. Mostly found between North Africa and India, its tail shape distinguishes it from the rest and it is also a bird of prey. It feeds on other carrion and it is an opportunistic bird preying on smaller mammals, reptiles and birds. It may even feed on eggs of other birds. When in contact with bigger eggs it can hurl stones on them to break them and settle for the meal.
- Hooded vulture-critically endangered
Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is another Old World vulture. It is a native of the Sub-Saharan Africa and well distributed in the East and West African countries. It is an area where vultures are not as safe and this makes these small sized vultures more vulnerable. Its threats include poisoning, hunting, loss of natural habitat and collision with electrical facilities.
- Himalayan vulture – near endangered
Also called Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis), it is closely related to the European griffon vulture and once considered as its sub specie. It is one of the two largest Old World vultures.
- Indian vulture- critically –endangered
The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is a native of India, Pakistan, Nepal. It was listed as endangered as far back as 2002 when its population declined. It breeds majorly on crags in India and surrounding countries.
- Lappet-faced vulture – endangered
Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos trachellotos) also known as Nubian vulture is another Old World vulture. Efforts must be made to save this specie.
- Slender-billed vulture- critically endangered
The Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) was recently classified along with its cousin, the Indian vulture under same name as ‘Long billed vulture.’ The Indian vulture is found only in India and it breeds on cliffs while the Slender-billed relative is along the Sub-Himalayan regions and deep into the South East Asia. It is now critically endangered.
- White-headed vulture-critically endangered
The White-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is among the Old World vultures popular in Africa. This species has seen sharp and gradual decline in recent times majorly due to poisoning and loss of habitat. This endangered specie must be supported if it must not extinct.
- White rumped vulture – critically endangered
The White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalsensis) is a native of South and Southeast Asia. Since 2000 it has been listed as critically endangered. Members of this specie often die of renal failure caused by poisoning. The specie is also the most abundant large bird of prey around the world with population of about 10,000 adults.
- Andean condor – Near threatened
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is a native of South America and it is New World vulture specie. This is the largest flying bird in the world going by its combined measurement of weight and wingspan measured at about 10feet and 10 inches. Abundant in the Andes Mountains of the western South American continent but now near threatened.
- California condor – critically endangered
Critically endangered specie is the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), another New World vulture. This specie native of North America was declared extinct in 1987 but the remaining few were captured and reintroduced to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. The specie is now listed as critically endangered.
*Written by Dayo Emmanuel with Agency Report. Additional source: Wikipedia.