Focus on Vultures in Africa.

In February last year, the world lost a pioneering wildlife conservationist with the passing of Dr. Peter Munday, formerly of the Zimbabwe National Parks Service.

A short tribute to Peter can be read here: #link to article

To honour his significant contributions to our understanding of African vultures, we will publish a review of his work and findings in this area next quarter.

In the introduction to his article ‘The Vultures of Africa, Peter writes:

“Very much has been written about vultures over the years, as they are such conspicuous
and (sometimes) awe-inspiring birds. They are also widely distributed on three continents
in the Old World and on two in the New World, and a few species have even adopted
quite an intimate relationship with humans. Whereas a detailed review of vultures in
Africa has been published (Mundy et al 1992), such is unfortunately not yet comprehensively available for Asia or Europe, or for North and South America (but see Kiff 2000, Satheesan, 2000, Schlee 2000). One could note in passing that it is now frequently accepted that the vultures of the Old World and those of the New World are not closely related. The former can be thought of as scavenging eagles (Accipitridae family in the Falconiformes) whereas the latter are perhaps scavenging storks (Cathartidae family in the Ciconiiformes?).
Both groups have certain characteristics in common – for example a hooked bill, naked or downy head, food-holding crop – such that they illustrate very well the phenomenon of “convergent” evolution (Houston 2001). In addition, within the Old World vultures,

Commonly regarded as comprising 15 species, there are at least three different evolutionary lines (polyphyletic) (Seibold & Helbig 1995). Finally, it should be emphasised that within this group of birds there is a smaller group of five species of ‘super’-vultures, all of which should colloquially be called griffons. They exhibit a whole set of adaptations to a life scavenging on the carcasses of large (migratory) animals (Houston 1983).
My purposes in this article are to bring together facts about vultures that are relevant
to the bird-strike problem on aeroplanes, and to explore the vulturine connections in
the Old World among the three continents of Africa, Asia and Europe”

In the fourth quarter of this year, we will highlight the contributions of several pioneers in the field and provide links to academic articles for those interested in delving deeper into the study of these fascinating raptors.

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