Hooded+Vulture

toc =**Hooded Vulture**= = = =// Scientific name //= Necrosyrtes monachus Order: [|Accipitriformes] =**__Husbandry Information__**=

Housing Requirements

 * They love to sun!

Diet Requirements

 * Variety of whole food items

Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * This species is very curious and very playful. They appear to enjoy carrying objects, destroying objects, foraging toys, and chasing live insects.

=__Programmatic Information__=

Tips on Presentation

 * Zoo Atlanta uses our hooded vulture for Animal Encounters where he is given a large rib bone and reinforced for pulling the ligaments and small pieces off of it. We use one trainer to focus on him and a second trainer to talk with guests about their adaptations and status.
 * Zoo Atlanta also free- flies this species in a bird show
 * Zoo Atlanta also does a vulture walk where trainers release him from a kennel a distance away from our bird theater and we walk with him through the zoo. He is reinforced every 10-30 feet as long as he stays on the ground and within an arm length of one of the trainers on the walk with him. We utilize interns and non-trainer staff for crowd control to clear the path ahead and not allow guests to follow too closely behind.

Tips on Handling

 * IAATE does not recommend putting anklets or jesses on vulture species.
 * Zoo Atlanta uses one anklet to attach an ankle mount telemetry unit.

Potential Messaging

 * African Vulture Crisis
 * Critically endangered species
 * Smaller vultures soar higher to visually spot a carcass than alert larger vultures as they land. They then have to wait for the larger vultures to get out of the way, but their small hooked beaks are perfect for pulling the meat and ligaments out of nooks and crannies.

=__Acquisition Information__= This is an SSP species so if you are an AZA zoo it is recommended that you first contact the SSP coordinator. Zoo Atlanta's vulture is on the list of birds that can be paired for breeding should he become genetically valuable. At that time, we will no longer use him for programs, but are not concerned as it will open up a holding space for us to bring in a new species to work with and for our members to learn about!

=__Comments from the Rating System__=

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat
Sub-Saharan Africa. Can be found in a variety of habitats, including near human habitations. They seem to be found in conjunction with //Diospyros mepiliformis// and //Xanthocercis zambiaca,// are both heavily leafed tree, in southern Africa.

Physical Description
Brown plumage covers their bodies and broad wings. They have a 5-foot wingspan. They have a slender hooked beak. They have brown "fuzz" on their heads as juveniles which turns to white around 3 years of age.

Life Cycle
Hooded vultures incubate 1 egg. Both male and female assist in nest building while the female incubates the male brings her food.

Behavior
Depending on where in Africa they are located, they can be found in pairs, living singly, or forming loose colonies. They are carrion eaters like most vultures. When excited their white faces turn red and they vocalize in a high pitched squeal.

Threats and Conservation Status
Like other African Vultures, habitat loss is an issue. The primary threat is poisoning by both poachers attempting to cover their tracks and farmers trying to protect livestock from lions and other large predators.

=__Did you know…__=

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=__Contributors and Citations__= >
 * Zoo Atlanta
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//When adding a new page, remember to add tags!//
 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//