White-headed Vulture

Afrikaans name: Witkopaasvoël

White-headed Vulture

Photo © Steven Herbert

Trigonoceps occipitalis

Although the White-headed Vulture is not the biggest of vultures it can still have a wingspan of up to 2.3 metres.

Females are larger than males and can weigh over 4 kg.

The White-headed Vulture can be found from South Africa to Somalia. It is found in savanna and woodland.

This vulture not only scavenges for food it also does some hunting. It hunts for small birds and mammals as well as termites.

The White-headed Vulture makes its nest in a tall tree. Only one egg is laid.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 52

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 21

The Vultures of Africa - Author: Mundy, Butchart, Ledger and Piper - Published: 1992 - Page: 170

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 41

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 88

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 144

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 38

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 82

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 111

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 107

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 81

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 19

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 73

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 154

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 70

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 154

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 48

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 338

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 76

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 62

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 44

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 20

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 38

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 64

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 61

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 138

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 138

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 59

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List of South African Birds