Image via Macaulay Library
Indian Vulture
- Scientific name
- Gyps indicus
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Grassland
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Indian vulture, Gyps indicus, is a member of the Old World vulture family, natively inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. Historically abundant across its range, the species evolved as a crucial ecological scavenger, specializing in the consumption of carrion. Its distinct physical characteristics, including broad wings designed for soaring and a rounded tail for stability, allow it to patrol vast landscapes in search of food. The species is part of a complex taxonomic history, having previously been grouped with the slender-billed vulture before being recognized as a distinct species.
The biological design of the Indian vulture is an evolutionary response to its environment, prioritizing energy-efficient flight and an acute sense of sight. In recent decades, the species has faced a catastrophic population decline due to the ingestion of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in livestock. This crisis drew significant international attention, leading to rigorous conservation efforts, captive breeding programs, and legal restrictions on the drug. The bird is currently classified as critically endangered, serving as a focal point for conservation biology and environmental policy in South Asia.
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About Indian Vulture
Indian Vulture is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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