The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture is a New World bird that lives across parts of Central and South America. They are also known as Savannah Vultures and are very closely related to the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture.
Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures soar on thermals, using few wing flaps and thus minimal energy as they search for food. They locate carrion using their sense of smell, which is unusual among birds.
Their preferred habitats include wet grasslands, mangroves, and swamps. Their alternate name indicates a preference for more open habitat.
International Vulture Awareness Day is coming up this Saturday, September 6, 2025. We've celebrated vultures here on the Birdorable blog before, and we're continuing the tradition with a Vulture Week series leading up to the big day. We're going to share new posts and reiterate essential vulture... Read more »
International Vulture Awareness Day is coming up on Saturday, September 6, 2025, and it's the perfect time to celebrate these critical, though often misunderstood, birds. Observed on the first Saturday of September each year, IVAD shines a spotlight on vultures'; vital ecological roles; from cleaning... Read more »
