The red-headed vulture, also known as the Asian king vulture, Indian black vulture or Pondicherry vulture, is an Old World vulture mainly found in the Indian subcontinent, with small disjunct populations in some parts of Southeast Asia.
Region
Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Primarily found across the Indian subcontinent with scattered remnant populations in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. It favors open and lightly wooded landscapes, dry deciduous forests, scrub, and agricultural mosaics. The species often patrols river plains, grasslands, and village outskirts where livestock carcasses are available. It avoids dense closed-canopy forests but may traverse them while soaring between feeding areas. Nesting typically occurs in tall trees within relatively undisturbed patches near water or open fields.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Asian king vulture or Pondicherry vulture, this species is a powerful Old World vulture with a striking bare red head. It plays a crucial ecological role by rapidly removing carcasses and limiting disease spread. Populations crashed across South Asia due largely to veterinary diclofenac poisoning in livestock carcasses, along with habitat loss and food scarcity. Conservation actions focus on safe drugs for livestock, protected breeding areas, and supplemental feeding sites.
Red headed vulture female at Ranthambore
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Often seen singly or in territorial pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species vulture groups at large carcasses. Pairs are monogamous and nest high in large trees, laying a single egg and reusing sites across years. They can dominate smaller vultures at carcasses but give way to larger gyps vultures when outnumbered.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally silent, lacking a true song. At nests and carcasses it produces hisses, grunts, and low croaks; wing claps and bill-snapping may occur during disputes.
Plumage
Mostly glossy black with contrasting pale panels on the wings and distinct white thigh patches; short, square-ended tail. A black feathered ruff contrasts with the bare, vivid red head and neck.
Diet
A specialized scavenger feeding mainly on fresh to moderately decayed carcasses of livestock and wild ungulates. It uses strong visual cues to locate carrion while soaring and may follow other vultures to feeding sites. The robust bill allows it to open tough hides and access large muscle masses. Opportunistically, it may take smaller carcasses or scraps around dumps and butcher sites.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open countryside, village outskirts, grazing lands, and along river plains where carcass availability is higher. Frequently visits traditional carcass dumps and abattoir refuse when available, and perches on tall trees or pylons overlooking fields.
