Gypohierax angolensis
The Palm-nut Vulture, *Gypohierax angolensis*, is a uniquely specialized raptor, often considered Africa's most distinctive vulture due to its largely herbivorous diet. Adults are striking, showcasing a black back, wings, and tail sharply contrasted by a white head, neck, belly, and thighs. Its most recognizable feature is the unfeathered, bright orange-red facial skin, which extends around the eyes, along with a yellow cere and legs. Measuring 55-65 cm (22-26 in) in length with a wingspan of...
Primarily found in coastal and riverine forests, mangroves, and woodlands, often in close association with oil palm groves and large water bodies. They prefer low to mid-elevation areas, seldom occurring above 1,000 meters.
Their diet consists predominantly of the fleshy mesocarp of oil palm fruit (*Elaeis guineensis*), supplemented with other fruits, crabs, fish, mollusks, and small vertebrates. They forage by plucking fruit directly from trees and scavenging aquatic prey from water surfaces or shorelines.
Palm-nut Vultures are diurnal, often seen soaring gracefully on broad wings or perched prominently on tall trees near water. They typically roost communally in large trees, returning to the same sites regularly. Their foraging strategy is unique: while they scavenge for fish and crabs, they prima...
The Palm-nut Vulture has a widespread distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Its breeding range extends from Senegal and Gambia in West Africa, eastward through Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria...
Least Concern
- The Palm-nut Vulture is the only raptor whose diet is primarily vegetarian, consuming up to 90% oil palm fruit. - Despite its 'vulture' name, it is more closely related to sea-eagles than to true Old World Vultures. - It is an agile flyer, capable of hovering to pluck fruit directly from palm t...