The White-backed Vulture is a medium-sized vulture native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has dark brown plumage with a pale or white back, which gives the bird its name. Its head and neck are featherless, covered in pale skin that helps with hygiene when feeding on carcasses. The sharp, hooked beak is perfectly adapted for tearing through tough animal hides.
This species is a social bird, often seen gathering in large groups around carcasses, where they compete with other scavengers for food. White-backed Vultures have keen eyesight, allowing them to locate food from high in the sky. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleaning up dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases.
White-backed Vultures build their nests in tall trees, often in savannas and open woodland. They usually lay a single egg, which both parents take turns incubating.
Sadly, the White-backed Vulture is critically endangered. Its populations are declining due to poisoning, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines. Poisoned carcasses, often intended to kill predators, have had devastating effects on these birds.
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... 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 »
Vultures are nature’s cleanup crew, often misunderstood but incredibly vital to the health of our ecosystems. These magnificent birds are found around the world, from the vast open skies of North America to the rugged mountain ranges of Africa and Asia. With their sharp... Read more »
