Want to know where and when to find Lappet faced Vulture? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Lappet faced Vulture in South Africa
About the Lappet faced Vulture
The lappet-faced vulture is Africa's largest vulture and one of its most powerful scavenging birds. It has a massive hooked bill, a bare head and neck, dark plumage and distinctive fleshy folds of skin, or lappets, on the sides of the neck. It is primarily a scavenger that feeds on carrion and can tear open tough hides and tissues that smaller vultures cannot. It occurs mainly in dry savanna and semi-arid regions and often travels long distances in search of carcasses.
How to identify the Lappet faced Vulture
Very large dark vulture with an enormous hooked bill, long broad wings and a distinctive bare pinkish-red head and neck with a prominent lappet of loose skin on the side of the neck. The body is dark brown to black with paler areas on the wings.
Did you know?
The Lappet-faced Vulture has one of the most powerful bills of any African vulture, allowing it to tear through thick hide and open carcasses that smaller vultures cannot.
Also known as: Lelkopaasvoël, Vulture
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Lappet faced Vulture, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.