The Cape vulture, also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to southern Africa, and lives mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and in some parts of northern Namibia. It nests on cliffs and lays one egg per year. In 2015, it had been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but was down-listed to Vulnerable in 2021 as some populations increased and have been stable since about 2016.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Found primarily in South Africa and Lesotho, with smaller numbers in Botswana and parts of northern Namibia. It favors mountainous landscapes with sheer cliffs for roosting and nesting, and forages widely over open grasslands, savanna, and agricultural areas. Birds may travel tens to hundreds of kilometers in a day in search of carrion. They often congregate at carcasses of wild ungulates and livestock and may also visit abattoirs and vulture restaurants established for conservation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Cape griffon, this large Old World vulture is a vital scavenger that helps prevent the spread of disease by rapidly removing carcasses. It nests colonially on steep cliffs and typically raises a single chick per year. Major threats include poisoning, collisions with power infrastructure, and loss of safe foraging habitat, but some populations have stabilized with targeted conservation actions.
Illustration of a Cape vulture skeleton (1904)
Egg
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on cliffs, with strong site fidelity. Pairs cooperate to incubate a single egg and rear the chick. Outside the breeding season, individuals roost communally and gather in large numbers at carcasses, where a dominance hierarchy is evident.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally silent in flight; at carcasses it emits hisses, grunts, and rasping croaks. Nest sites may be accompanied by low growls and snorts during interactions.
Plumage
Pale buff to creamy body with contrasting dark brown to black flight feathers and tail; shaggy, buff neck ruff and bare head/neck.
Diet
A specialized scavenger that feeds mainly on carrion from medium to large mammals, including wild ungulates and livestock. It tears flesh with its powerful bill and will consume soft tissues and viscera first. It locates food by soaring high and visually scanning or by following other vultures to carcasses. It rarely takes fresh kills and does not typically hunt.
Preferred Environment
Forages over open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and pastoral lands where visibility is high. Frequently uses thermal updrafts over plains and escarpments and may visit managed feeding stations near protected areas.
