Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Vulture
Gyps coprotheres
Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
- Genus Gyps
- Species coprotheres
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.2 kg
- Diet
- Scavengers
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Vulture feeds largely by scavenging carrion.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Cape Vulture is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is a member of the Accipitridae family, within the order Accipitriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Namibia to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and s South Africa.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 8.2 kg, with a wing length of about 68.7 cm and a tail of around 26.9 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 671,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Vulture?
The Cape Vulture is a very large bird that weighs around 8.2 kg.
Where does the Cape Vulture live?
The Cape Vulture is found across Africa with a range covering AF Namibia to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and s South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Cape Vulture belong to?
The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Cape Vulture eat?
The Cape Vulture feeds largely by scavenging carrion.
Does the Cape Vulture migrate?
The Cape Vulture is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cape Vulture endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Cape Vulture's range?
The Cape Vulture has a mapped global range of about 671,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Accipitridae
A field guide to the Accipitridae family — 254 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.