Lappet-faced vulture

The lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) is now rare in Venda. It is a rather solitary bird that soars on its broad wings from early in the day. It is often the first to find carrion, which it easily rends with its massive beak. Its great size and dominance also enables it to obtain food at carcasses in competition with other vultures. Individuals range over hundreds of kilometres in search of food, a hbait which exposes them to accidental poisoning over awide area. They breed in winter on a lare stick nest on top of athorn tree and lay only one egg. It takes about six months toraise their check to fledging.