Observations on the white-backed Vulture Gyps africanus in the Kruger National Park, with notes on other Avian Scavengers

Abstract

Observations on the breeding biology of vultures in the central Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa, were made over two consecutive seasons. The breeding success of the White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus appeared to be lower than in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Its incubation period was about 8 weeks and its nestling period about 4,5 months. The relative abundance of vultures species recorded at food, is similar to results from other areas of Africa. Some resightings of marked birds indicate that vultures roam at least over the whole of the Kruger National Park.