The only Egyptian Vulture pair in South Africa has safely arrived at VulPro@Shamwari! VulPro (https://www.vulpro.com/) has launched an ambitious project to reintroduce Egyptian Vultures to South Africa, and this marks an exciting first step in the process.
The Bateleurs proudly played a crucial role in transporting these remarkable birds from Pretoria to VulPro Shamwari in the Eastern Cape. It was an incredible opportunity to support the protection of these vital scavengers, whose unique role in the ecosystem and striking beauty make them a cherished part of our natural heritage.
Some background on these incredible birds
The Egyptian Vulture is the only known vulture species that uses tools! This is particularly remarkable, as tool use among birds is generally rare. These birds have developed the unique ability to use a pebble as a hammer to crack open the thick shells of ostrich eggs, demonstrating their advanced cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills.
Beyond their intelligence, these vultures stand out with their distinct appearance, recognisable by their yellow face, which contrasts sharply with their dark eyes and black bill. Adding to their striking look, the feathers above their head give them rock star style.
Wild Egyptian Vultures often appear soiled with a rusty or brown tint to their white plumage—a colouration derived from mud or iron-rich soil, which some suggest may be a form of avian cosmetics. They are also one of the smallest vultures, with a wingspan of about 1.7 metres and a weight between 1.6 and 2.2 kg.
In addition to their unique looks and behaviour, the Egyptian Vulture is an impressive long-distance migrator, with some individuals covering nearly 11,000 km during their annual migration routes between Europe and Africa (Phipps et al. 2019).
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