Birds
Red-headed vulture
Sarcogyps calvus
The red-headed vulture, or Asian king vulture, has a bare head and neck of vivid red and contrasting black plumage. It is an essential scavenger, now reduced to a fraction of its former numbers.
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In short
The red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) is a species with IUCN conservation status CR (Critically endangered). It ranges over open plains, scrub and cultivated country, often near villages, feeding on carcasses. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the red-headed vulture live?
It ranges over open plains, scrub and cultivated country, often near villages, feeding on carcasses. Unlike Gyps vultures, it tends to be solitary or in pairs rather than in large flocks.
Is the red-headed vulture endangered?
Rated Critically Endangered (CR) with a rapidly decreasing population. The main cause is diclofenac poisoning — a veterinary anti-inflammatory that is lethal to vultures feeding on the carcasses of treated livestock.
Facts about the red-headed vulture
- Its bare red head earned it the name ‘king vulture’ of Asia.
- The veterinary drug diclofenac has decimated its populations.
- Vultures like it curb the spread of disease by removing carcasses.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Sarcogyps calvus (Critically Endangered) · BirdLife International
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.