White-backed Vulture

The White-backed Vulture is a medium-large Gyps vulture native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has overall dark brown body plumage with a bare, pinkish-grey head and neck topped by a whitish downy ruff at the base of the neck.

The species takes its name from a whitish patch on the lower back and rump, which contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage and is most visible from above or in certain flight views. In flight from below, pale underwing coverts contrast against darker flight feathers.

Key Field Marks

• Whitish lower back/rump patch (best seen in flight or from above)
• Bare greyish-pink head and neck with a pale downy ruff
• Dark brown body plumage overall

Similar Species

• Rüppell's Griffon Vulture — scaly, pale-edged feathers and a yellow bill base
• Cape Vulture — larger, with paler cream-buff body and bluish skin tones
• Hooded Vulture — much smaller with a slender bill and no pale back patch

The combination of medium-large size, dark body, and pale rump patch is diagnostic.

Range

Found across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Sudan south to South Africa, in savanna, open woodland, and plains.

Habitat

Prefers open habitats with scattered tall trees for nesting, avoiding dense forest.

Movements

Not strictly migratory, but wide-ranging and somewhat nomadic, capable of traveling long distances in search of carcasses.

Feeding

Highly social, often gathering in large numbers at carcasses alongside other vulture species. Locates food visually, both directly and by observing the movements of other scavengers.

Nesting and Breeding

Nests colonially in tall trees, typically Acacia, building large stick nests. Lays a single egg per breeding attempt.

Conservation Threats

Populations have crashed by more than 90% in parts of its range, primarily due to poisoning — both deliberate (targeting predators or to conceal poaching) and incidental — as well as veterinary drug contamination and collisions with power lines.