White-backed Vulture

Afrikaans name: Witrugaasvoël

White-backed Vulture

Photo © Steven Herbert

Gyps africanus

The White-backed Vulture is found over large parts of Africa. It occurs from northern South Africa to Ethiopia and across to West Africa.

They are found in savanna areas and occasionally even in deserts.

The White-backed Vulture has a wingspan of over 2 metres and can weigh up to 7 kilograms.

As a typical vulture it feeds on carcasses and doesn't catch its own food.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	107	Pseudogyps africanus
2nd	107	Gyps africanus
3rd	107	Gyps africanus
4th	107	Gyps africanus
5th	123	Gyps africanus
6th	123	Gyps africanus
7th	355	Gyps africanus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	107	White-backed Vulture
2nd	107	White-backed Vulture
3rd	107	White-backed Vulture
4th	107	White-backed Vulture
5th	123	Whitebacked Vulture
6th	123	Whitebacked Vulture
7th	355	White-backed Vulture

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	107	Witrug-aasvoël
2nd	107	Witrug-aasvoël
3rd	107	Witrug-aasvoël
4th	107	Witrug-aasvoël
5th	123	Witrugaasvoël
6th	123	Witrugaasvoël
7th	355	Witrugaasvoël

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 52

The Vultures of Africa - Author: Mundy, Butchart, Ledger and Piper - Published: 1992 - Page: 122

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 40

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 17

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 67

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 30

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 86

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 82

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 109

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 105

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 55

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 71

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 79

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 146

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 152

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 18

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 152

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 70

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 48

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 317

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 54

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 20

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 43

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 63

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 27

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 78

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 60

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 60

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 92

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 62

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 137

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 137

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 58

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds