Different Types Of Vultures In India – Burning Issues

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Vultures were quite common till the 1980s and are fighting to survive currently. Currently, seven species in Africa and eight species in India are threatened with extinction.
India has lost 99 per cent population of the three species, White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture.
List of India’s vultures is here:

White-Rumped Vulture

Gyps bengalensis
Alias: Indian White-backed Vulture, White-backed Vulture
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (Population decreasing)

This species is an Old World vulture, different from the African White-backed Vulture – Gyps africanus, from Africa.
It is also known as Indian White-backed Vulture, Oriental White-backed Vulture and White-rumped Vulture.
Gyps bengalensis is very common on the Indian subcontinent. It regularly occurs in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
It formerly occurred in southern China and Malaysia but is now extinct in that region.
White-rumped vultures are medium-sized, dark vultures. Adults are 75 to 85 cm tall, their wing span is 180 to 210 cm, and their weight ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 kg.
There is a pale grey patch on the upper surface of the wings, visible when the wings are folded.
White-rumped vultures feed almost exclusively on the remains of dead animals, regardless of whether it is fresh or putrid.
White-rumped vultures are important in helping prevent the spread of diseases by ridding areas of carcasses.
Declines in vulture numbers in India and Pakistan are resulting in an increase of carcasses remaining to feral dog populations, leading to an increase in the number of feral dogs, which transmit rabies to human populations.

Slender-Billed Vulture

Gyps tenuirostris
Alias: Himalayan Long-billed Vulture
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (Population decreasing)

Slender-Billed Vulture is one of the critically endangered species of old world vulture found along the Sub-Himalayan regions of Indian Subcontinent.
It has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, particularly across the India.
Like all vultures, Slender-backed Vultures have very few feathers on their heads. When they eat, they often need to put their heads deep into the cavities of rotting carcasses. If particles of this meat got deep into their feathers, they might cause bacteria or germs to grow.
Though some people might think vultures look ugly, the fact is a bald head helps keep vultures healthy – and the more healthy vultures we have around the better.

Indian Vulture

Gyps indicus
Alias: Long-billed Vulture
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (Population decreasing)

Closely related to the European Griffon, the Indian Vulture is mainly found in forests, grasslands and shrublands. Like many other vulture species, it is also observed near human-occupied spaces like cities, towns and agricultural areas.
As the name suggests, this vulture is found throughout the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring countries.
A medium-sized raptor, the Indian Vulture has white feathers and a dark torso.
As seen in the image, the white patch on its neck is more prominent on the back. Indian Vultures nest in trees when there are no cliffs around their habitats.
They mainly feed on carrion and are found near slaughterhouses along with other vulture species, looking for carcasses.

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus
Alias: White Scavenger Vulture, Pharaoh’s Chicken
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (Population decreasing)

Considerably smaller than other vulture species, Egyptian Vultures were once widespread in cities. They are now found in select regions, mainly in open areas, near river banks and around large garbage dump sites. Their preferred habitats are rocky areas and inland cliffs.
They are identified by their yellow heads and their white and black plumage. While they mainly feed on carrion, they are also known to feed on discarded fruits, small birds and eggs.
They use their thin beaks to grab small pieces of meat. Egyptian Vultures mainly build nests within caves and occasionally on trees and buildings.

Red-headed Vulture

Sarcogyps calvus
Alias: Asian King Vulture, Indian Black Vulture, Pondicherry Vulture
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (Population decreasing)

Although distributed throughout India, Red-headed Vultures are present in low numbers in most regions except for the western Himalayas.
These vultures prefer open areas, semi-deserts and scrublands away from human settlements.
They are medium-sized raptors with distinct bare, red heads, red legs and neck, and dark plumage. Red-headed Vultures are known to feed on the carcasses of ungulates, birds and even fish.
Unlike many vultures, they are not seen in large flocks and are usually found singly or in pairs. They build nests in tall trees.

Griffon Vulture

Gyps fulvus
Alias: Eurasian Griffon
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (Population increasing)

Seen mainly in the northern and northwestern parts of India, Griffon Vultures prefer rocky areas and grasslands as habitats.
They have light brown plumage, a white neck and dark brown/black tail feathers. They build nests sheltered between rocks or in caves.
They are frequently seen with other vultures when feeding on carrion. They primarily feed on carcasses of large mammals, and prefer the softer parts of the meat. Their long necks aid them in feeding when they share the carrion with other scavengers.

Himalayan Vulture

Gyps himalayensis
Alias: Himalayan Griffon
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (Population stable)

Himalayan Griffons are found in the Himalayan mountain range in India. These raptors prefer rocky areas and mountain peaks, where they mostly reside in altitudes between 1200 and 5500 meters.
These large vultures have pale plumage compared to the Griffon Vulture and distinct stout bills.
They are also identified by their white heads. Himalyan Griffons are not commonly seen near human settlements.
They mainly feed on the carcasses of large mammals and monitor other scavenging birds to locate sources of food.
They reside in small colonies and often dominate feeding areas and prevent other vultures from sharing the carcass. Himalayan Griffons build nests within caves and are known to return to the same nesting site.

Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus
Alias: Black Vulture, Monk Vulture, Eurasian Black Vulture
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (Population decreasing)

One of the heaviest raptors in the world, Cinereous Vultures are identified by their bare heads, their dark plumage and their large beaks.
They have the upright neck feathers, this is why they are also called Monk Vultures, as these feathers resemble the hood of a monk’s cloak.
Found mainly in the northern parts of the country, Cinereous Vultures prefer grasslands and forests as habitats. They build nests on trees as well as cliffs.
Cinereous Vultures feed on the carrion of medium and large-sized mammals, but they are also known to hunt for live prey and feed on snakes occasionally.

Bearded Vulture

Gypaetus barbatus
Alias: Lammergeier, Ossifrage
IUCN Red List Status: Near Endangered (Population decreasing)

Bearded Vultures reside in rocky regions and mountains where they are usually found above a 1000 meter altitude. In India, they are mostly seen around the Himalayan region.
They are identified by the red rings around their eyes, their long tail feathers and the rust-like colouration on their face and body.
Although it is believed that Bearded Vultures capture live prey, they do so occasionally. They mainly feed on carrion, and bones consist a significant part of their diets, earning them the name ‘bone-eater’.
They sometimes break the bones against hard rock surfaces, making it easier for consumption. They also capture birds. Bearded Vultures build nests within caves or on ledges of cliffs.

Question:
Which of the following is considered the richest native wildlife in the world?