From: Pierre@home.be (Pierre)
Subject: Fauna in South Africa - PO_Fisa_193_Vautours.jpg
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 17:15:32 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.binaries.pictures.artpics

Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres)
Also known as: Cape griffon
Previously known as: Gyps fulvus coprotheres and Vultur coprotheres
This majestic bird is a member of the Old World vulture family (Accipitridae), and is found only in southern Africa. It has a creamy-buff body plumage, which contrasts with its dark flight and tail feathers and its black bill. Adults can be distinguished by their honey-coloured eyes and naked, bluish throat, whilst juveniles have brown eyes and a pink neck. When these huge scavengers are flying the pale, almost silvery, under-side wing feathers can be seen. Cape vultures are generally silent birds, apart from when they are feeding on a carcass, and grunting, grating or hissing calls can be heard.