Cape Vulture

Taxobox
name = Cape Griffon
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Accipitridae
genus = "Gyps"
species = "G. coprotheres"
binomial = "Gyps coprotheres"
binomial_authority = (Forster, 1798)

The Cape Griffon or Cape Vulture ("Gyps coprotheres") is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is endemic to southern Africa, and is found mainly in South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana. It nests on cliffs and usually lays one egg per year.

This vulture is dark brown except for the pale wing coverts. The adult is paler than the juvenile, and its underwing coverts can appear almost white at a distance. The average length is about 1 m (3.3 ft) with a wingspan of about 2.4 m (7.9 ft) and a body weight of 9.4 kg (21 lb). They are on average the largest raptor in Africa, although they are subservient to the powerful Lappet-faced Vulture.

The species is listed by the IUCN as "Vulnerable", the major problems it faces being poisoning, disturbance at breeding colonies and electrocution. The current population is estimated at 8,000.

References

* Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used
*Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, "SASOL Birds of Southern Africa" (Struik 2002) ISBN 1-86872-721-1

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3379&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
* [http://gyps.mixmox.com Cape Griffon]