Cape vultures are endemic to Southern Africa – they occur nowhere else in the world. There are breeding populations in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and Mozambique, and historically also in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Their numbers have been declining, and they are now listed as Endangered. This article has some great information about vultures, and the threats they face.
These birds are big – they can weigh up to 9kg with a wingspan of 2.5m. They’re long-lived as well (estimated 50-70 years), and only start breeding at around 6-9 years old. A lot of juveniles don’t make it through their first year – roughly 80% die before they reach maturity. Despite feeding on carrion, they’re very clean birds, and have been observed washing and preening themselves at waterholes after meals.
Cape vultures suffer the same problems that many other vulture species do – poisoning, getting tangled in powerlines, struck down by wind turbines, and loss of habitat and food. A decline in vultures is bad for the ecosystem – without them cleaning up dead animals, there is a much higher risk of the spread of disease. There have been many conservation initiatives to try and protect these birds. Supplementary feeding at ‘vulture restaurants’ appears to aid their population numbers, and increases the likelihood of juveniles surviving through their first year. In some parts of South Africa, there have actually been increases in population size, which is good news. A big way of helping vultures is educating people – especially farmers – about them, the role they have in the ecosystem, and their importance.
Having a flock of Cape vultures (or apparently ‘kettle’ is the collective noun – weird!) circling overhead left me simply in awe. The wind sings through their primary feathers, a sound similar to the whistling of wind through the rigging on a sailboat – and with eight big adults soaring above, it turns into an eerie chorus of tones. Graceful and weightless in the air, they are a little ungainly on the ground and touch down with an audible thump.
If you ever get the chance, visit the Giant’s Castle vulture hides, and see these amazing birds for yourself. To witness their mastery of flight in such a dramatic landscape is an experience you will never forget.
