The Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) is a very large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers. It is the only member of the genusGypohierax (Rüppell, 1836).
It breeds in forest and savannah across sub-Saharan Africa, usually near water, its range coinciding with that of the Oil Palm. It is quite approachable, like many African vultures, and can be seen near habitation, even on large hotel lawns in the tourist areas of countries like The Gambia.
This is an unmistakable bird as an adult. Its plumage is all white except for black areas in its wings. It has a red patch around the eye. The immature, which takes 5 years to mature, is brown with a yellow eye patch. In flight this species resembles an eagle more than a typical vulture, and it can sustain flapping flight, so it does not depend on thermals.
This vulture gets its name from its favourite food, which, uniquely for a bird of prey, is not meat, but the nut of the Oil Palm. It will also take dead fish.
Birds may form loose colonies. A single egg is incubated in a bulky stick nest in a tree for about six weeks.
Vultures have always evoked strong emotions from people; from being seen as symbols of divine qualities, clairvoyant whereby they are able to ‘see’ into the future to being misunderstood and called ‘ugly, disease riddled’ birds.
Vultures have for years been persecuted and misunderstood by many, it is for this reason that they are continuously declining at a rapid rate.
Vultures are victims of irresponsible poison use and to-date, this has led to the disappearance of vultures and other birds of prey from around southern Africa.
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The Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis, is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.
This species has a unique diet for a bird of prey: it feeds largely on the husk of oil palm[?]nuts.