Scientific Name: Neophron percnopterus Common Name: Egyptian Vulture Other Name: White scavenger vulture, Pharaoh's chicken
Identifying Features: dull white plumage, yellow face, wedge shaped tail, pinkish legs, hooked beak
Fun Facts:
- Studies suggest that they feed on ungulate faeces to obtain carotenoid pigments responsible for their bright yellow and orange facial skin.
- Legend has it the vultures (or “eagles”) represented eight sages who were punished by Shiva, with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.
- A southern Indian temple at Thirukalukundram was famed for a pair of birds that reputedly visited the temple for “centuries”. These birds were ceremonially fed by the temple priests.
This image was clicked by Senthil Kumar Damodaran – via Flickr.
Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org
