(Redirected from
Aegypiinae)
Old World vultures |
|
' |
|
Genera |
Gypaetus
Gyps
Torgos
Aegypius
Neophron
Gypohierax
Necrosyrtes
|
|
† see also: Accipitridae
|
Old World vultures belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.
They are not at all closely related to the superficially similar New World vultures and condors, and do not share that group's good sense of smell. The similarities between the two groups are due to convergent evolution rather than a close relationship.
Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight.
A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, devoid of feathers. This is because a feathered head would become spattered with blood and other fluids, and thus be difficult to keep clean.
Species
-
ORDER FALCONIFORES
-
Family Accipitridae
-
Subfamily Aegypiini
-
Genus Aegypius
-
Genus Gypaetus
-
Genus Gypohierax
-
Genus Gyps
-
Genus Necrosyrtes
-
Genus Neophron
-
Genus Sarcogyps
- Red-headed Vulture , Sarcogyps calvus
-
Genus Torgos
-
Genus Trigonoceps
- White-headed Vulture , Trigonoceps occipitalis
- (other subfamilies not listed here)
- Family Pandionidae: Osprey
- Family Sagittaridae: Secretary Bird
Last updated: 08-01-2005 08:49:27