LAPPET-FACED VULTURE
Torgos tracheliotus

iNqe (Zulu) Swartaasvoel (Afrikaans)

HABITAT
Found in the thornveld savannas of the protected areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

TYPE
A very large, generally black, vulture with black and white streaked underparts.

It has a large pinkish red head and a heavy yellow bill. In flight the wings are black with a white leading edge. The eyes are brown and the legs and feet are bluish grey. Usually seen as a solitary bird or in pairs.

FOOD
Mainly carrion but it also kills small mammals and birds such as flamingos and fish such as barbel. Its strong bill allows it to consume the tougher parts of a carcass.

BREEDING
They nest between April and July, building a huge platform of sticks in the top a a flat crowned acacia. The nest is lined with grass hair and skin and one egg is laid. The egg is white blotched with brown and grey.

STATUS
They are uncommon in KwaZulu-Natal and are listed as VULNERABLE in the Red Data Book.