Member-only story
The most feared Vulture in Africa!
We present the Torgos tracheliotos or Lappet-faced Nubian vulture!
We find these vultures in Europe, Asia, & Africa. They belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards, & hawks.
Species:
There are two subspecies of the lappet-faced vulture. The Nominate race lives throughout Africa. The subspecies, Negevensis, occurs in the Negev desert and the Sinai & Arabian Peninsulas.
Habitat:
The vulture prefers to live in the dry thorn bush savanna, arid plains, deserts with scattered trees, & open mountain slopes.
Description:
It is the longest & largest winged vulture. It measures 37-45 inches in body length, with an 8.2 -9.5 feet wingspan. They weigh about 23–30lbs. Their lifespan is 20 to 50 years.
Overall the lappet vulture is blackish above, with strongly contrasting white thigh feathers.
A lining of brown is under the black feathers of its back. The underside of the bird can range from pure white to buff-brown.
The bald head coloration can range from reddish to dull pink on the back of the head & grey on the front. The massive beak has the most strength of the…
