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lappet-faced vulture
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Illustration showing the heads of six falconiform birds: a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus), a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), a hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus), and a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), each labeled with their common and scientific names.
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lappet-faced vulture

bird
Also known as: Nubian vulture, Torgos tracheliotus, eared vulture(Show More)
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Illustration showing the heads of six falconiform birds: a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus), a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a Steller's sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), a hook-billed kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus), and a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), each labeled with their common and scientific names.
Beak shapes of some falconiform birds

A New World vulture, the black vulture, Coragyps atratus, with a weak beak for carrion eating; an Old World vulture, the lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotus, with a stronger beak for tearing at larger animals; a buzzard, Buteo buteo, with a simple raptorial beak for killing and eating small mammals; a sea eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus, with a deep narrow beak that may allow a broader field of vision; a kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus, with a strongly hooked beak for eating snails; and a falcon, Falco rusticolus, with a toothed beak for shearing and plucking feathers.

The lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) is a large Old World vulture found in arid regions of Africa. It is one of the largest vultures, standing about 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall with a wingspan of 2.7 meters (8.9 feet). This species is characterized by its black and brown plumage, white underparts, and a distinctive wedge-shaped tail. Large folds of skin hang from its bare, pink or reddish face.1

Vultures are carrion-eating birds that play a vital role in ecosystems by consuming dead animals. They are classified into two main groups: Old World vultures (family Accipitridae) and New World vultures (family Cathartidae). While many species share similar traits, such as bare heads to stay clean while feeding, they are not closely related. Vultures have adaptations for their scavenging lifestyle, including a crop for storing food and well-developed eyesight. Some species, like the lammergeier, even consume bones to access marrow.12

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6 Britannica Sources
  1. vulture
  2. turkey vulture
  3. falconiform - Feeding
  4. lammergeier
  5. falconiform - Critical appraisal
  6. velvet-purple coronet: Top Questions

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