Cape Griffon
Gyps coprotheres
Silhouette: Shyamal · PhyloPic
- 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 →
Recent sightings of Cape Griffon in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Black Kite
Milvus migrans
Bateleur
Terathopius ecaudatus
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Martial Eagle
Polemaetus bellicosus
Tawny Eagle
Aquila rapax
Brown Snake Eagle
Circaetus cinereus
Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis
Black-winged Kite
Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
Wahlberg's Eagle
Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Jackal Buzzard
Buteo rufofuscus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
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 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon sighting in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, based on 21 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Griffon in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Cape Griffon in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in our monthly data.