Red-headed Vulture Bird Details
Sarcogyps calvus
Red-headed Vulture,Asian King Vulture, Pondicherry Vulture, Indian Black Vulture;
Rakta-siras Gidh
John Latham (1787)
Accipitriformes (HAWKS, EAGLES and KITES)
Accipitridae
Sarcogyps
Appearance :
Large bird with a bare red head and neck. Primarily black body with white underwing coverts visible in flight. Adults have a striking red face and head with a prominent hooked beak. Juveniles are browner and have duller coloration.
Behaviour :
Scavenger, feeding mostly on carrion. Solitary or found in pairs, though it may gather around large carcasses. Often seen soaring high in the sky while searching for food.
Habitat :
Found in open landscapes, scrublands, foothills, and near human habitation. Typically seen in plains and low hills but also in areas with low forest cover.
Diet :
Feeds primarily on the carcasses of dead animals. Known to scavenge from animal remains left by other predators.
Conservation Status :
Critically Endangered
Distribution :
Historically found across the Indian subcontinent. Currently, the population has declined drastically, and it is found in small, fragmented areas in northern and central India, as well as parts of Southeast Asia.
Population Size :
Estimated at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
Life Span :
Approximately 15-25 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: Stocky build with a large body, small head, and strong legs. Mostly black plumage with a distinctive red, featherless head and neck.
- Tarsus length: Approximately 8-10 cm (varies with age and sex).
Head And Bill :
- Head: Bare, red head with some wrinkling; adapted to its scavenger diet to avoid contamination when feeding on carcasses. Hooked beak for tearing flesh.
- Bill: Strong, hooked bill.
- Bill length: about 5 cm.
Length :
Around 75-85 cm from head to tail.
Neck :
Featherless, reddish neck helps in maintaining hygiene while feeding on carcasses.
Size :
Large bird with a robust body structure, wingspan, and thick neck.
Tail Details :
- Tail: Short and somewhat rounded tail.
- Tail Length: About 25-30 cm.
- Feathers: Mostly black with glossy plumage on the body, contrasting with its bare head and neck.
Weight :
Weighs between 3.5 to 5.5 kg.
Wing :
Broad, rounded wings suited for soaring flight.
Wing Span :
2 to 2.7 meters, enabling long gliding flights.
Facial Feature :
Bare, wrinkled red face with sharp eyes adapted for detecting carrion.
Nest Details :
- Nest: Large nests, usually built in tall trees or on cliffs.
- Nest made up of: Sticks, twigs, and sometimes lined with leaves or softer material.
Breeding Season :
Breeds mostly between November and March.
Nesting Season :
Starts around November with egg-laying in December or January.
Egg Color :
Dull white or light bluish color, sometimes with faint markings.
Egg Length :
Approximately 7.5-8.5 cm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 5-6 cm.
- Egg Weight: Around 150-160 grams.
Clutch Size :
Typically one egg.
No. of Broods :
One brood per year.
Incubation Period :
Roughly 45-50 days.
Nestling Period :
Chicks fledge at about 3-4 months old.
Vocalization :
Generally silent but can make hissing or grunting sounds when agitated or near a carcass.
Sex Demorphism :
Males and females appear similar, though females are slightly larger.
Migration Details :
Non-migratory, but may move short distances in search of food.
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