DISTRIBUTION of the white headed vulture is across most of Africa south of the Sahara, except in forests and deserts.
None are found below 29*S latitude.
This uncommon resident roosts in trees at night, either solitary or in pairs. They fly out early to forage and usually arrive first at a carcass but cannot compete with larger vultures when they arrive. They then try to pirate chunks from the bigger birds.
Apart from carrion, they often kill for themselves, feeding on termites, guinea fowls, flamingoes and their eggs. Breeding season is from June to August. Their nest is a large platform of sticks lined with grass on top of baobab or acacia trees.
They lay one white egg and incubate it for about 55 days. Nestlings remain for about 110 days.
The bird’s Zulu name is iNqe and in Afrikaans it is known as witkopasvoel.
