National Parks/ Sanctuaries
-
Common Names
hooded vulture
Regions
AngolaBotswanaCameroon
Population
130,000
Habitat
Savannahs, grasslands, and open woodlands
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
1.5 to 2.6 kilograms and 20-30 years
Regions
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zimbabwe, Cote D'Ivoire, Tanzania
The Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is the sole species in its genus and one of the smaller Old World vultures. It features dark brown body plumage, a bare pinkish head and neck (which flushes red when excited), and a subtle “hood” of downy feathers on the back of the neck. The bird is a highly opportunistic scavenger—feeding on carcasses of wildlife, domestic animals, roadkill, and garbage waste—and is known to frequent human habitations to find food.
Breeding involves construction of stick nests high in trees (often palms), usually laying a single egg per attempt. Fledging may require months of parental care. The species is typically sedentary (non-migratory), though juveniles and non-breeders may disperse short distances or shift in response to food and rainfall. Because of severe declines driven by multiple anthropogenic pressures, the Hooded Vulture is now classified Critically Endangered.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
