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Old World vulture

Old World vultures
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family†:Accipitridae
Genera
Gypaetus
Gyps
Trogos
Aegypius
Neophron
Gypohierax
Necrosyrtes
† see also: Accipitridae
Old World vultures belong to the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.

They are not at all closely related to the superficially similar New World vultures and condors, and do not share that group’s good sense of smell. The similarities between the two groups are due to convergent evolution rather than a close relationship.

Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight.

A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, devoid of feathers. This is because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean.

Species include

   

        
  • White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis

  • Red-headed Vulture, Sarcogyps calvus



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