White-backed Vulture

The White-backed Vulture is one of the most numerous and widespread vultures across sub-Saharan Africa's savanna regions, closely related to the Griffon Vulture of Europe and Asia. Its plumage is generally brownish, but a patch of white feathers on the lower back and rump gives the species its name and provides a useful field mark, especially visible when the bird is seen from below in flight.

It often gathers in large numbers at carcasses alongside other African vulture species, playing an important ecological role as a scavenger.

Feathers found on the African savanna showing a mix of plain brown body feathers with a patch of white ones are a good indicator of this species.

Shape and Size

Wings are broad, and the tail short and rounded, typical of the Gyps vulture group, adapted for sustained soaring over open savanna.

Color and Pattern

• Body and upperwing covert feathers: medium brown, fairly plain
• Lower back and rump feathers: whitish, forming the diagnostic patch
• Flight feathers: dark brown to blackish
• Neck ruff: white, downy
• Shafts: pale

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The whitish rump/lower-back feather patch, combined with an otherwise plain medium-brown body, separates this species from the scaly-patterned Ruppell's Vulture and the darker, browner Lappet-faced or Cinereous Vultures, none of which show this specific white back patch.

Adults are medium brown overall with a whitish lower back patch and pale downy neck ruff; sexes look alike. Juveniles are more heavily streaked and lack the clean white back patch, which develops with maturity.

Molt is gradual, following the extended replacement pattern typical of large vultures.

Widespread across sub-Saharan African savanna, open woodland, and grassland, from West Africa across to East and southern Africa.

Most populations are resident, though individuals may range widely while foraging; the species is classified as IUCN Critically Endangered due to poisoning and habitat loss.

A highly social scavenger, often the first species to arrive at a carcass in large numbers, relying on keen eyesight and observing the movements of other vultures and predators.

Nests in flat-topped trees on the savanna, often in loose colonies. Vocalizations include hisses and grunts, mainly at carcasses or nests.

A plain medium-brown feather paired with a whitish lower-back feather, found on African savanna, is a good indicator of this species.