Gyps

The Gyps vultures are a genus of Old World vultures in the bird family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.

These are the typical vultures, with bald head, broad wings and mainly dark plumage. They are large scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight. Representatives of this group are found throughout warmer parts of the Old World.

The characteristic featherless head is because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean.

Species

• ORDER FALCONIFORES
  • Family Accipitridae
    • Subfamily: Aegypiini
      • Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
      • Indian White-rumped Vulture, Gyps bengalensis
      • Rüppell's Vulture, Gyps rueppelli
      • Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus
      • Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis
      • White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus
      • Cape Griffon, Gyps coprotheres
      • Other genera
  • Family Pandionidae: Osprey
  • Family Sagittaridae: Secretary Bird