Vulnerable Birds

Cape Griffon

Gyps coprotheres

Cape Griffon is a scavenging bird nesting on African cliffs and mountainous areas.

Scientific name	Gyps coprotheres
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Class	Aves
Order	Accipitriformes
Family	Accipitridae
Size	Male: weight approximately 7-11 kg, wingspan about 2.0-2.6 m; Female: slightly larger, about 8-12 kg

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How to identify

Head unfeathered, skin bare ranging from yellow to orange-yellow; body plumage mainly brown, wing edges lighter; neck with distinct white downy feathers; large body size, broad wingspan; in flight, wings broad and fan-shaped, often with forked feathers at wing tips

Habitat

Open mountainous areas, grasslands, wooded savannas, and near rocky cliffs; commonly nests in highlands and canyons

Diet

Obligate scavenger, primarily feeds on carcasses of large mammals such as antelopes and zebras

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, uses thermal currents to glide while searching for food

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique; less common in Kenya and Masai Mara

How to spot it

Easier to observe when gliding on thermal currents in early morning or afternoon; photograph near large animal carcasses or vulture congregations; use telephoto lens to capture flight posture

Photography tips

Recommended to use a telephoto lens to photograph vultures in flight, utilizing natural light to capture feather details; remain quiet and avoid disturbance in vulture gathering areas

Threats

Habitat loss, reduction in food resources, poisoning from pesticides and toxic baits, human disturbance, and illegal hunting

Similar species

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus): lighter coloration, white back feathers; Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus): smaller size, yellow head, white tail feathers

📖 how to spot the cape griffon on safari