ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the eight species of Old World vultures which are not classifi ed within the Genus Gyps. They are not necessarily closely related, but are separated for simple classifi cation. They are, in approximate order of size from smallest to largest: the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus); the Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus); the Palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis); the White-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis); the Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus); the Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus); the Lammergeier or Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus); and the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus). This group varies greatly in size, appearance and habits. The Egyptian vulture and the Bearded vulture have been linked in classifi cations, sometimes with the Palm-nut vulture (Wink and SauerGürth 2004: 489). These three species have feathered necks and in the case of the latter two, feathered heads (Wink and Sauer-Gürth 2004). The rest of the vultures in this chapter are usually grouped with the Griffons; they however differ markedly from each other, sharing mostly large tearing bills and generally solitary behavior, but widely varying coloration in exposed skin and plumage.
