The Indian vulture, aka long-billed vulture, is an Old World vulture hailing from India and Pakistan. Their population has dramatically declined since 1980. They face the threats of habitat loss and destruction as a result of mining and quarrying. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, that is used to treat domestic livestock, has been identified as the main cause of mortality, with renal failure resulting in visceral gout found in almost the entirety of examined individuals. Vultures are unable to process diclofenac and other vulture-toxic NSAIDs that then cause renal failure and subsequent death. Electrocution from power lines is another threat these birds face. Hunting and trapping for meat is yet another threat faced. Disturbances from rock climbers in cliff nesting sites causes the abandonment of nests and chicks. Finally climate change has brought about severe droughts. As a result of all these adversities these vultures are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Gyps indicus
Weight: Up to 14 lbs.
Length: Up to 41 inches
Wingspan: Up to 8.5 feet
Lifespan: Up to 45 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) These vultures were first formally described by the Italian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1786.
2.) Their genus name hails from Ancient Greek gups meaning “vulture” and the species name hails from Neo-Latin indicus from the Ancient Greek “indikós” meaning “Indian”.
3.) They are considered a keystone species because they provide critical, irreplaceable sanitation services. By rapidly consuming rotting carcasses, they single-handedly prevent the spread of deadly pathogens, control populations of facultative scavengers (like feral dogs and rats), and protect water quality.
4.) The preferred habitats are semi-deserts to dry foot hills, open fields, and cultivable lands near villages, and next to garbage dumps and slaughter houses in urban areas.
5.) While not migratory, they do fly hundreds of miles a day in search of food.
But wait, there’s more on the Indian vulture!
6.) Using thermals, these vultures can fly at speeds of up to 22 mph and can soar continuously for up to 7 hours.
7.) They often fight with one another to gain the best position at a carcass. As these vultures are comparatively smaller than some other species, they do have to sometimes back down to let other larger birds, like the cinereous vulture, feast.
Did you know…?
In circa 1980s there were an estimated 15,000,000 individuals. As of today, there are merely an estimated -15,000. That is a 99.9% decrease in their population!
8.) Females lay a single egg from November – March, that hatches in up to 50 days.
9.) Even though vultures are often misunderstood, feared, and considered as lowly creatures due to their diet, they effectively clean up the carcasses offering health benefits and saving economical costs.
10.) The people of Parsi community in India leave the dead bodies exposed in high towers called Tower of Silence in order for the vultures to feed.
Now a Short Indian Vulture Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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