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'''Old World vultures''' belong to the family ''Accipitridae'', which also includes ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s. '''Old World vultures''' belong to the family ''Accipitridae'', which also includes ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s.


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


<b>Vultures</b> are scavenging ]s, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead ]s. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight. <b>Vultures</b> are scavenging ]s, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead ]s. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight.
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**** ] ''Gyps himalayensis'' **** ] ''Gyps himalayensis''
**** ], ''Gyps africanus'' **** ], ''Gyps africanus''
**** Cape Griffon, ''Gyps coprotheres'' **** ], ''Gyps coprotheres''
**** ], ''Trogos tracheliotus'' **** ], ''Trogos tracheliotus''
**** ] or Monk Vulture, ''Aegypius monachus'' **** ] or Monk Vulture, ''Aegypius monachus''

Revision as of 20:07, 22 July 2004

Old World vultures
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Falconiformes
Family†:Accipitridae
Genera

Gypaetus
Gyps
Trogos
Aegypius
Neophron
Gypohierax
Necrosyrtes

† see also: Accipitridae

Old World vultures belong to the family Accipitridae, 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 are: