Title:

Observations of predatory behaviour by Whiteheaded Vultures

Author(s):
Publication Year:
2014
Abstract:

Vultures are recognized as obligate scavengers, but the list of species found as food remains at nests of Whiteheaded Vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is long (Mundy et al. 1992) and this has led to speculation (Brown and Amadon 1968, Monadjem 2004) about predatory behavior in this species. Convincing evidence for predatory behavior has proved elusive because the species occurs at low densities (Murn et al. 2013) and is observed infrequently. Here I describe four observations of predatory behavior by White-headed Vultures in Kruger National Park, northeastern South Africa (23u599S, 31u369E). White-headed Vultures are individually identifiable (Murn 2012), and each incident involved different birds. Keywords: White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis, foraging behavior, predation.

Publication Title:

Journal of raptor research

Volume:
48
Issue:
3
Pages:
297โ€“299
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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