The white-headed vulture is a wild bird found in the hot, dry woodland and tree savannas of Africa. Nevertheless, their population is dangerously low.
Typically, white-headed vultures are colourful birds with a pink face and bright orange-red beak. Their name comes from the downy, white feathers on their head, which give it a sharp appearance. Like other vultures, these birds too feed on the dead bodies of large animals. But they are capable of killing small prey as well. It is known that the beak of a vulture is sharp enough to pierce and tear apart a prey.
But more than ferocity, it is the population drop that brings a white-headed vulture to international attention. The IUCN Red List has classified this species as critically endangered, owing to a decreasing trend in their number.
The reasons attributed to this fall are many. The shortage of suitable food sources, loss of habitat, and illegal trade are a few of them.
Besides, many have died in the past due to the presence of toxic substances like diclofenac in food. It is a veterinary drug used to treat livestock, but affects vultures adversely. To avoid more deaths, most of their ranges are now protected by governments.
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