Cape Griffon
Gyps coprotheres
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusGyps (Griffon Vultures)
- SpeciesGyps coprotheres (Cape Griffon)
About the Cape Griffon
The Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres), also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to southern Africa, and lives mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and in some parts of northern Namibia. It nests on cliffs and lays one egg per year. In 2015, it had been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but was down-listed to Vulnerable in 2021 as some populations increased and have been stable since about 2016.
This large vulture is of a creamy-buff colour, with contrasting dark flight and tail feathers. The adult is paler than the juvenile, and its underwing coverts can appear almost white at a distance. The head and neck are near-naked. The eyes are yellowish, and the bill is black. Juveniles and immatures are generally darker and more streaked, with brown to orange eyes and red necks. It closely resembles the white-backed vulture, however it is larger and has yellow irises.
The average length of adult vultures is about 96–115 cm (38–45 in) with a wingspan of 2.26–2.6 m (7 ft 5 in – 8 ft 6 in) and a body weight of 7–11 kg (15–24 lb). The two prominent bare skin patches at the base of the neck... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Golden Gate Highlands National Park
White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Jackal Buzzard
Buteo rufofuscus
Bearded Vulture
Gypaetus barbatus
Verreaux's Eagle
Aquila verreauxii
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
African Marsh-Harrier
Circus ranivorus
Secretary Bird
Sagittarius serpentarius
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 5 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 6 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 7 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 8 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 9 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 10 | Pilanesberg National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 11 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 12 | Kafue National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 13 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon sighting in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, based on 69 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park in our monthly data.