FACTOID # 17: Senior gentlemen might consider a trip to Russia, where there are two women over 65 for every man.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Palm nut Vulture
Palm Nut Vulture
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Gypohierax
Species: angolensis
Binomial name
Gypohierax angolensis
(Gmelin, 1788)

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 genus Gypohierax (Rüppell, 1836).


This bird is an Old World vulture, and is not related to the New World vultures which are in a separate family, Cathartidae.


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.


  Results from FactBites:
 
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, North West Province, South Africa (996 words)
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.
Palm nut Vulture: Definition and Links by Encyclopedian.com (279 words)
...Palm nut Vulture Palm nut Vulture The Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis...is resident.
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.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.