This big, greedy, ugly bird perches at the top of the scavenger list in Africa. When the lappet-faced vulture arrives at a fresh kill, other animals scatter out of the way. This bird tears into a carcass until it eats its fill. Competing scavengers actually benefit by waiting-the lappet-faced vulture has such a strong beak it can tear through tough hides other animals can't penetrate. Odd for a vulture, this bird turns its nose up at meat that's really rotten, and even hunts for itself at times.
Check, Please: The lappet-faced vulture easily rips holes in dead animals with its strong, thick beak, and uses the sharp sides of it to scrape meat from bone. If still hungry after the meat is gone, the vulture might crunch up some chunks of bone until it's satisfied.
Early Riser: This bird takes off soon after the sun rises, and rides heat thermals as it soars through the skies for hours at a time, searching the ground for dead animals. With eyesight better than most other scavengers, this vulture is usually the first to spot a fresh carcass.
Some Like it Warm[]
This bird struts and squawks when other animals try to snatch a piece of carrion.
Though the lappet-faced vulture won't hesitate to dig into fresh carrion, the bird is actually very picky about what it eats. This scavenger won't touch meat that has begun to turn putrid, preferring to find abandoned kills whose blood is still warm. If the lappet-faced vulture can't find fresh meat, it can put its powerful talons to work and make its own kills, which might include prey from rats to flamingoes. When desperate, this bird has even been seen snacking on termites from huge mounds.
Move Aside: This vulture likes to be left alone while eating, and easily intimidates other scavengers that try to creep in on its action. Rushing at rivals with its wings outstretched, the bird can even scare away hyenas.
Me First! As many as 100 lappet-faced vultures have been known to converge on a fresh carcass, each battling for dominance-and the best scraps of meat-with aggressive wing flapping and loud squawking.
Buffalo Burger[]
- While soaring high through the African skies, a lappet-faced vulture spots a dead buffalo that was abandoned by its attackers. The bird eagerly swoops down and rips the carcass open with its tough beak.
- It's not long before another lappet-faced vulture shows up, and the squabbling begins. The birds don't want to share, so each tries to scare the other away. While they're distracted, other vultures begin stripping off the buffalo meat.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The lappet-faced vulture is featured in Where In The World? on Monster Mania 70.