Slender-billed Vulture

About the Slender-billed Vulture

The slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) is an Old World vulture species native to sub-Himalayan regions and Southeast Asia. It is Critically Endangered since 2002 as the population on the Indian subcontinent has declined rapidly. As of 2021, fewer than 870 mature individuals are thought to remain.

It used to be the Indian vulture, under the name of "long-billed vulture". However, these two species have non-overlapping distribution ranges and can be immediately told apart by trained observers, even at considerable distances. The Indian vulture is found only to the south of the Ganges and breeds on cliffs while the slender-billed vulture is found along and nests in trees.

At 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in), in length, this mid-sized vulture is about the same size as its sister species, the Indian vulture. The wingspan of the vulture ranges from 196 to 258 cm (77 to 102 in). The slender-billed vulture is commonly mistaken for the Indian vulture, but there are a few key differences that differentiate the two species, primarily its darker head, and bill that is thinner than its sister species. This vulture is mostly grey with a pale rump and grey under-tail coverts. The... Wikipedia →