The red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) belongs to the family Accipitridae.
These red-headed vulture species are distributed in Southeast Asia and Indian Subcontinent.
Taxonomy of Red-headed vulture
- Scientific Name: Sarcogyps calvus
- Common Name: Red-headed vulture
- French: Vautour royal; German: Kahlkopfgeier; Spanish: Buitre cabecirrojo;
- Other names: Vultur calvus Scopoli, 1786; Asian king vulture; Indian black vulture; Pondicherry vulture;
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Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
Species author: (Scopoli, 1786)
Description
The red-headed vulture is a large bird, measuring 75 to 85 cm in length and weighing 3,500 to 5,500 grams. The wingspan is 200 to 230 cm. It is mainly black except for bare reddish head, neck and legs. It has a pale grey band at the base of the flight feathers. The male bird has a paler, whitish iris, while the female has dark brown iris. |
| Indian birds - Image of Red-headed vulture - Sarcogyps calvus |
Habitat
The red-headed vulture prefers open country usually away from human habitation, well-wooded hills and dry deciduous forest with rivers.Feeding habits
The red-headed vulture species feed on carcasses of medium sized and large mammals. They may occasionally snatch feed from other birds. They soar high on the thermals to locate dead animals.Breeding
The breeding season of these bird species is between December and September. Nesting has been recorded in tall trees.Distribution
These red headed vulture species are distributed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan in Indian Subcontinent. Small populations are present in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It was previously present in South China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.Movement Patterns
These bird species are mainly sedentary. The population in the Nepal is found to perform seasonal altitudinal movements.Status and conservation
The red-headed vulture global population is estimated to number 3,500 to 15,000 individual birds. The Indian vulture population declined by 90% mainly due to toxicity from diclofenac present in carcasses of cattle. The drastic reduction in the wild ungulate population, reduced availability of feed and increased human activity in the habitat are the threats for their survival.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these bird species and has listed them as "Critically Endangered".
| Biological classification of Sarcogyps calvus | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Sarcogyps |
| Species: | S. calvus |
| Binomial name: | Sarcogyps calvus |
| Distribution: | Southeast Asia and Indian Subcontinent; |
| Feeding habits: | mainly carrion, also snatches food from other birds; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Critically Endangered |
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Red-headed_Vulture_Adult_Male_Bandhavgrah_National_Park_16042013.jpg
Image Author: Dibyendu Ash | Image License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Red-headed vulture - Sarcogyps calvus.
