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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 56

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds