Photographers: Vultures.homestead.com is careful not to display photos without permission. We want, however, to provide a valuable resource for vulture information, and photos are valuable additions to our factsheets. Do you have a photo of a Rüppell's Griffon that you would like to see featured on this site? You will be gratefully acknowledged below the photo. Please E-Mail FroggiVR@aol.com |
Rüppell's Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppelli |
Size: Up to 3 feet tall, and 17-20 lbs. Voice: Like all birds, the Rüppell's has no actual vocal chords. Still, they can make a variety of sounds, including screeches and hisses (usually when angry or when fighting over food). They have also been documented as making clucking sounds like a chicken, (probably a more social and pleasant noise.) Diet/Feeding: Feeding almost entirely on carrion, this vulture finds fresh meals with its keen eyesight. In some regions, it is the dominant vulture at a feeding site, though in other areas it is out-bullied by the much larger Lappet-faced vulture. Flight: The Rüppell's Griffon vulture is currently on record as the highest-flying bird ever--one of these birds collided with an airplane flying at an altitude of 37000 feet! This bird can soar for hours on end, searching out fresh carcasses. Range/Habitat: Central and Northeast Africa, where they roost and nest on steep cliff faces. Behavior: Highly communal, these birds prefer to feed, roost, and nest in colonies. Life Cycle: Breeding: Nests on cliff faces, building lage, somewhat sloppy, nests of twigs and sticks Status: Folklore, Misc. Information: A Rüppell's Griffon Vulture in many languages: English: Rüppell's Griffon Vulture (pronounced ROO-pels) Latin: Gyps rueppelli |
Photographers: Vultures.homestead.com is careful not to display photos without permission. We want, however, to provide a valuable resource for vulture information, and photos are valuable additions to our factsheets. Do you have a photo of a Rüppell's Griffon that you would like to see featured on this site? You will be gratefully acknowledged below the photo. Please E-Mail FroggiVR@aol.com |
