Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)

1. What is the scientific name of the Slender-billed Vulture?
   Gyps tenuirostris
2. Where is the Slender-billed Vulture primarily found geographically?
   It is primarily found in the Indian subcontinent, including parts of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
3. What type of habitat does the Slender-billed Vulture prefer?
   It prefers open habitats such as plains, foothills, and forested areas near human settlements, often near large rivers or water bodies.
4. What does the Slender-billed Vulture mainly feed on?
   It feeds mainly on carrion (dead animals), scavenging on carcasses of large mammals.
5. How can you distinguish the Slender-billed Vulture from other vultures?
   It has a slender, long, and slightly hooked beak, which is narrower than in other vultures. It also has a pale yellow face and a long neck covered with white downy feathers.
6. What is the conservation status of the Slender-billed Vulture?
   It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to rapid population declines.
7. What are the main threats facing the Slender-billed Vulture population?
   The primary threats include poisoning from veterinary drugs like diclofenac, habitat loss, and reduced food availability.
8. How does the Slender-billed Vulture contribute to its ecosystem?
   As a scavenger, it helps in cleaning the environment by consuming carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases.
9. What breeding behavior is typical for the Slender-billed Vulture?
   They usually breed in colonies, building nests on tall trees or cliffs. They lay one egg per breeding season.
10. What conservation efforts are in place to protect the Slender-billed Vulture?
    Conservation measures include banning harmful veterinary drugs, captive breeding and release programs, habitat protection, and awareness campaigns to reduce poisoning risks.

Certainly! Here are some notable photographs of the Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris):

Perched on a Tree
A striking image of the Slender-billed Vulture perched on a tree branch, showcasing its distinctive pale head and slender bill.

In Flight
An impressive shot of the Slender-billed Vulture soaring in the skies, highlighting its expansive wingspan and graceful flight.

Feeding with Red-headed Vulture
A captivating photograph capturing both the Slender-billed and Red-headed Vultures feeding together, emphasizing their role in the ecosystem.

At Veal Krous Vulture Restaurant
A poignant image of the Slender-billed Vulture at the Veal Krous Vulture Restaurant in Cambodia, part of conservation efforts to protect these endangered birds.

In Kaziranga National Park
A serene photograph of the Slender-billed Vulture in its natural habitat within Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India.

The Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) is a large bird of prey belonging to the vulture family Accipitridae. Here’s a brief overview about it:

Description

• Size: Large vulture, about 75–90 cm in length.
• Appearance: It has a pale head and neck, with a long, slender bill (hence the name). The body feathers are mainly brownish-gray. The neck has sparse feathers, typical of vultures.
• Wings: Long and broad with finger-like feathers at the tips, adapted for soaring.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found primarily in South Asia, especially in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Prefers open forests, scrublands, and grasslands near human settlements where it can find carcasses.

Behavior and Ecology

• Scavenger feeding mostly on carrion, particularly the remains of dead animals.
• Plays a critical ecological role by cleaning up dead animal remains, preventing the spread of diseases.
• Known for soaring at high altitudes to spot carcasses.

Conservation Status

• Critically Endangered due to rapid population declines.
• The main cause of decline is poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is lethal to vultures when they consume carcasses of treated livestock.
• Conservation efforts include banning diclofenac in several countries and establishing vulture breeding centers.

Interesting Fact

• The Slender-billed Vulture often nests on tall trees and sometimes on cliffs.
• They are social birds, often seen feeding in groups.