Vultures / Gieren

Old world vultures

These vultures hunt by their keen eyes. Characterised by their bald head and neck, these vultures are commonly seen as "ugly" but are actually very diverse and spectacular.

Cinereous vulture, also known as the black- or monk vulture.(Monniksgier)
Aegypius Monachus



One of the Better known vultures, It lives in europe and Asia although the European species are endangered

Lammergeier or Bearded vulture (Lammergier)
Neophron percnopterus

Far from your typical run of the mill vulture, these have no bald head. Even though he eats carrion like others, his diet exists 90% out of bone marrow. Lammergeiers can Swallow whole bones that can even match the size of a lamb's femur. They have mastered a way to break bones to pick it up and drop it midflight on rocks, the precision required can take up to 7 years to master by the birds.


Juvenile lammergeiers are black.

Griffon vulture (Vale gier)
Gyps fulvus

Appearing as a very typical old world vulture these majestic beasts can grow very large and heavy( measured up to 15kg in extreme cases!)




Palm-nut Vulture (Gierarend)
Gypohierax angolensis

This white bird is the smallest old world vulture, having a wingspan of 150cm (59in) and a height of 60cm (24in) . Perhaps of all the birds of prey he has the most remarkable diet, mainly feeding on fruit from the oil-palm. It also feeds on smaller living prey like crabs, moluscs and fish. The bird is not shy and therefore can be sometimes found near houses feeding on domestic poultry.

White-Rumped vulture (Bengaalse gier)
Gyps bengalensis

Closely related to the previous griffon vulture it shares the same typical looks that a lot of the Gyps species have, notably the slender bald neck and head but much smaller than his cousin. Although it is the smallest of the Gyps vultures it's still a pretty large bird still able to get measured up to 93cm(37in).





Hooded Vulture (Kapgier)

Necrosyrtes monachus

One of the more bizarre looking vultures, these have no fear at all of humans and can be found regularly breeding near human habitats getting the nickname "garbage collectors". When disturbed in their nests they cry something resembling "MAMA MAMA". They are abundant and fly in flocks able to be spotted in the day almost all the time.




Egyptian vulture (Aasgier)

Neophron percnopterus

One of the smallest vultures. Known to sometimes use rocks as tools to break eggs, other than that their diet exists of small animals and a lot of mammal, (especially human!) faeces which is rumoured to give them the pigment that causes their brightly orange head.

Red-headed vulture (Indische oorgier)

Sarcogyps calvus

This medium sized vulture have a prominent red head and a neck that sports 2 flat portruding surfaces that help cool off.





Lappet-faced Vulture (Oorgier)
Torgos tracheliotus

An african vulture easily recognised by his firm beak and pink/red head and his firm size. He has an extremely keen sight by which he can spot food from incredible heights




White-headed vulture (witkopgier)
Trigonoceps occipitalis

Characterized by his white cap, pink head and blue/pink beak this medium sized bird spends his days by circling in the air looking for food. It roosts in tall trees near water at night.