Species group · Birds

Old World Vultures

WAnimals has 6 species of old world vulture, all in the family Accipitridae.

6 species
1 family
99 countries
131 parks
Weight
4.2 kg – 14 kg
Length
78 cm – 1.2 m
Lifespan
20 – 40 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 6.

All 6 species of old world vultures on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

2 Critically Endangered1 Near Threatened1 Least Concern1 Endangered1 Vulnerable

4 especies in this group están en alguna categoría de riesgo real según la UICN.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 99 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

  • That cycle runs from the laying of the egg until the chick can feed itself.

    From Cinereous Vulture

  • It feeds on the carcasses of medium-sized and large mammals.

    From Cinereous Vulture

  • It lives in mountainous and wooded country across temperate Eurasia, from the Iberian Peninsula to Mongolia.

    From Cinereous Vulture

  • It feeds exclusively on carrion, spotted with keen eyesight from a great height.

    From Griffon Vulture

  • It can spot a carcass from over 5 kilometres away.

    From Griffon Vulture

  • It lives in mountainous, rocky country with cliffs across southern Europe, North Africa and Central Asia.

    From Griffon Vulture

  • A single elephant poisoned by poachers can kill more than 500 vultures in one incident: killings on that scale have been documented in Botswana and Namibia.

    From White-backed Vulture

  • Its decline has direct public health consequences: without vultures, carcasses lie in the field for days and the populations of feral dogs and rats grow, with the attendant risk of rabies and other zoonoses.

    From White-backed Vulture

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one