Egyptian vulture

Introduction: Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) inhabit dry open areas such as plains and semi-desert and occasionally on the seashore. These vultures can be found singly, in pairs or in groups of up to 6. As with other species of vulture they are attracted to thermals, circling to reach great heights.

Distribution: Restricted to Etosha National Park and Kaokoland. Also observed, but rare, on the Skeleton Coast.

Diet: Scavenges for food and searches whilst soaring. Feeds on refuse and human excrement. Eats large eggs of the common ostrich by throwing stones at the eggs until it breaks.

Description: Small, slender-billed vulture with fairly long legs, strong feet, mainly white plumage. Neophron is a Greek mythological character that morphs into a vulture because of 'base trickery'. Percnopterus is a Greek meaning for 'a dusky wing'.

Breeding: Non-breeder in Namibia. Nests are a large stick structure where the female lays 1 or 2 eggs between August and November and incubated for around 42 days.

Size: 70cm.

Weight: 2kg.