Thursday, May 1, 2014

Creature Feature #194: Egyptian Vulture


The Egyptian Vulture is a carrion feeder with an opportunistic streak and a taste for eggs. If she locates an unguarded ostrich or bustard egg she will pick up a large pebble in her beak and toss it at the egg, repeating the process until the shell cracks and she can lap up the yolk (or embryo) within. She has also been known to use a twig to collect wool, which she then carries back to line her nest. She forms a monogamous pair bond which can last more than one season, and recycles her old nest site, a large tree, cliff ledge or even a building, constructing an ungainly platform of twigs that is often lined with rags or wool.

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