egyptian vulture egyptian vulture called white vulture chicken small old world vulture member genus widely distributed egyptian vulture found southwestern europe northern africa india contrasting pattern wedge shaped tail distinctive flight warmer parts day egyptian feed mainly prey small mammals birds reptiles feed eggs birds breaking larger ones large use tools rare birds apart use hammer egyptian use twigs roll wool use nest egyptian breed temperate regions migrate south winter tropical populations relatively populations species declined 20th century island populations endangered hunting accidental poisoning collision power lines taxonomy genus contains single species prehistoric species period north_america placed genus meaning looks like believed similar lifestyle genetic relationships unclear genus considered represent oldest branch evolutionary tree nearest evolutionary relative placed separate subfamily subspecies widely recognised subspecies egyptian vulture considerable movement populations nominate subspecies largest range occurring southern europe northern africa middle_east north west india populations breeding temperate zone migrate south winter dark grey bill indian range subspecies smallest subspecies identifiable pale yellow bill subspecies derived southern india french explorer described given latin index small population found eastern islands found genetically distinct identified new subspecies known locally genetically distant significantly greater unlike neighbouring populations africa southern europe non migratory consistently larger size subspecies derived ancient island island named spanish 15th century main native tribe study suggested species established island years ago island humans described subspecies described having deeper reddish orange skin head yellow tipped dark bill rarely considered valid subspecies intermediate pattern bill suggests subspecies etymology genus derived greek mythology mother friend age upset know mother having love affair seeking revenge advances mother succeeded entering dark chamber mother meet soon distracted mother entering chamber sleeping mother discovered deception eyes son killing prayed revenge hearing prayer changed derived greek black wings meaning blue black meaning wing description adult plumage white black flight feathers wings wild birds usually appear brown shade white plumage derived mud iron rich soil captive specimens access soil clean white plumage bill slender long tip upper hooked elongated horizontal neck feathers long form wings pointed primary longest tail wedge shaped legs pink adults grey juveniles claws long straight fourth toes slightly base bill black nominate subspecies pale yellowish adults smaller indian suggest variation need study particularly intermediate black tipped bill described facial skin yellow throat sexes indistinguishable plumage breeding males deeper orange facial skin colour females females average slightly larger heavier males young birds chocolate brown black white patches adult plumage attained years adult egyptian vulture measures centimetres point tail feathers smaller males centimetres long females centimetres long wingspan times body length birds spain weigh kilograms birds subspecies representing case island heavier average weight kilograms distribution movements egyptian widely distributed breeding range southern europe northern africa east western southern asia rare sri_lanka occur mainly dry plains lower hills metres summer european populations migrate south africa winter occur far south south_africa bred region prior nest mainly rocky cliffs adopting tall buildings cities large trees egyptian subtropical zone europe migrate south africa winter like large soaring migrants avoid making long crossings water italian birds cross sicily tunisia making short sea crossings passing islands migrate peninsula cross africa cross east levant summer african birds fly north europe recorded england southern sweden migrating birds cover kilometres single day reach southern edge kilometres summer home young birds reached breeding age grassland semi desert regions behaviour ecology egyptian vulture usually seen singly pairs soaring birds prey ground atop building ground walk feed range food including including humans insects vegetable matter small animals joins vulture species dead animal tends stay periphery waits larger species leave wild rabbits form significant diet spanish studies suggest feed obtain responsible bright yellow orange facial skin ability serve reliable signal fitness egyptian silent high pitched notes nest noises young birds heard making flight threatened angry egyptian large trees buildings cliffs sites usually chosen close dump site suitable foraging area spain summer formed mainly immature birds favourite trees tended large dead number adults increases june thought breeding adults able forage efficiently joining following best feeding areas breeding birds failed raise young join non breeding birds june breeding breeding season spring beginning breeding season pairs high steep birds pair bonds maintained breeding season nest sites reused year nest platform twigs lined placed cliff building fork large tree old nest platforms eagles taken nests placed ground rare recorded subspecies extra pair neighbouring birds recorded reason adult males stay close female egg laying period females associate males help raising brood typical clutch consists eggs turns parents eggs brick red broad end covered densely red brown black parents begin soon egg laid leading hatching egg days second chick hatch days later longer delay increases likelihood die starvation cliffs nests located close young birds known neighbouring nests obtain food spanish population young leave nest days fledged birds continue remain dependent parents month birds begin forage away parents territory young birds found nearly away nest site year old european birds migrate africa stay year vulture fledged france stayed africa years migrating north spring migrating breeding areas young birds widely search good feeding territories mates adult plumage attained fourth fifth year egyptian known live years captivity years wild probability survival wild varies age increasing till age falling age older birds annual survival probability varying non breeders breeding birds tool use nominate population especially africa known use stones tools large egg located bird walks large held bill swinging neck egg operation repeated egg cracks blows prefer rounded rocks behaviour reported recorded tests hand wild birds suggest behaviour innate learnt observing birds displayed associate eggs food access case tool use described bulgaria involves use tool roll gather strands wool use lining nest threats conservation healthy adults predators human activities pose threats collisions power lines hunting intentional poisoning lead accumulation gunshot accumulation toll populations young birds nest taken golden eagles eagle red rarely adult birds attempt drive away predators young birds fall cliff preyed predators wolves like birds serve hosts including organisms live egyptian vulture populations declined parts range europe middle_east populations half india decline rapid decrease year area delhi estimated average density pairs km2 exact cause decline known linked use known cause death italy number breeding pairs declined 1990s nearly breeding failures human activities spain holds european population suggested causes decline include poisoning accumulation lead especially large scale use control pose threat poorly designed power transmission lines east africa shortage resulting new rules disposal dead animals following outbreak parts europe effect populations population egyptian isolated europe africa significant period time leading genetic vulture population declined years egyptian vulture historically common occurring islands restricted easternmost islands total population estimated individuals including breeding pairs island birds appear accumulate significant amounts lead hunted animal long term effect poison level known known alter bones order provide safe food nesting birds attempts create vulture restaurants available encourage predators concentrate site pose threat nesting vicinity culture vulture sign sound bible makes reference egyptian vulture hebrew translated english eagle bird held sacred isis ancient egyptian religion use vulture symbol royalty egyptian culture protection law species common streets egypt gave rise chicken southern indian temple near famed pair birds visited temple centuries birds fed temple priests arrived noon feed offerings rice wheat sugar normally failure birds turn attributed presence legend eagles represented punished leaving series habit egyptian gives spanish names mean british colonial india considered birds habit feeding particularly despised
Egyptian vulture