a cape vulture (gyps coprotheres) pair sitting on a ledge : (pix sanjiv shukla)

cape vulture griffon gyps coprotheres kolbe#39aph39#s old world family accipitridae endemic southern africa south lesotho botswana northern namibia nests cliffs egg endangered large creamy-buff colour dark flight feathers tail-feathers naked head neck yellowish eyes black bill juveniles immature brown orange red bare skin patches temperature sensors thermals large raptors scavengers heavy carrion dead animals scavenging birds carcasses semi-bald thermoregulatory adaptation facial overheating ecosystems poisoning vulture trade bushmeat traditional medicine