White-headed Vulture (Aegypius occipitalis)

'Daisy' was acquired with the Cape Vulture in early 2008. She has previously been flown at another UK raptor centre for many years. She will now be trained with us for work at the centre but also as one of the main display birds at our Outside Events - especially the Living Heritage Country Shows that we attend.

IN THE WILD

The white-headed vulture gets its name from the white down-covered area on the top of its head. The cheeks and throat area are bare skin and can be pink or red depending upon bird's state of excitement. The bill is also reddish separated by a blue cere. What purpose is served by this mix of colours is one of many unanswered questions about this unusual vulture.

Origin:  Africa: sub-Sahara, widespread but generally scarce to uncommon.

Diet: Mainly carrion, but also eggs, birds, insects and possibly small mammals.

Habitat: Savannah, thornbush and lightly wooded grassland, but also forages in open country, including sub-desert.