Bonanza Bird #8: Palm-nut Vulture

July 17, 2012 in Vultures and Birdorable Bonanza 2012 with 8 comments

Today's Bonanza bird is the Palm-nut Vulture, also known as the Vulturine Fish Eagle.

Vultures are sometimes known as nature's garbage collectors, because they mostly feed on carrion - dead animals. The Palm-nut Vulture is the exception to the rule, feeding mainly on the fruits of Raphia and Elaeis palm trees. Their method of feeding can be quite unusual, too. They hang upside-down, holding onto the fruit with their feet and using their beaks to pull off pieces to eat.

Buitre palmero - Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) by ferran pestaña

The Palm-nut Vulture is rather common within its range. This species is fortunately not threatened, unlike many other vulture species.

Birdorable Palm-nut Vulture t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is an Old World finch with a bovine name. Can you guess what it will be?

Comments

bluegrosbeak on July 17, 2012 at 12:09 PM wrote:

You guys should add the Kori Buzzard. Its the heaviest flying bird on Earth. I think it would be a nice addition to Birdorable!

bluegrosbeak on July 17, 2012 at 12:12 PM wrote:

Sorry i meant Kori Bustard

laurakeet on July 17, 2012 at 12:21 PM wrote:

Hoary Redpoll!

Elinor (Ashira) on July 17, 2012 at 12:24 PM wrote:

It's a Bullfinch! : D

Louise Warner on March 6, 2017 at 8:21 AM wrote:

eastern towhee?

Bar tailed godwit on March 13, 2017 at 1:50 PM wrote:

Eastern towhee!

Bar tailed godwit on March 13, 2017 at 2:10 PM wrote:

Cool, palm nut vultures are really upside down?

Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 6:31 AM wrote:

Every Family has their Rebel their Nonconformist

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2020 Bonanza Bird #23

Meet the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: Europe's Smallest Woodpecker

December 16, 2020

Today an Old World woodpecker joins Birdorable! We welcome the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to our flock. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have a large range in temperate and boreal forests across much of Europe and Asia. At least 10 subspecies are recognized, with a...

2013 Bonanza Bird #5

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra: The Solitary Rainforest Dweller

July 5, 2013

Happy Friday! Today's new Birdorable Bonanza bird is the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is one of four species of kookaburra in the world. Kookaburras are large "tree" kingfishers. A few traits set the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra apart from the other kookaburras.

2019 Bonanza Bird #2: Mrs. Gould's Sunbird

December 4, 2019

Today's new bird has a fabulous plumage and an interesting name: here is our Birdorable Mrs. Gould's Sunbird! Mrs. Gould's Sunbird is a small species of bird native to parts of Asia, including China, India, and Thailand. It is part of...

2015 Bonanza Bird #8: Bee Hummingbird

December 8, 2015

Today our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition continues with the smallest species of bird in the world: the Bee Hummingbird! An adult Bee Hummingbird weighs in at 2 grams or less, which is lighter than an American penny coin. In fact, a...

Birdorable Blog