Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), Chitwan, Nepal.
Image: Prasan Shrestha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Stable
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The red-headed vulture is a striking scavenger with a bare red head, once widespread in Asia. It is assessed as Critically Endangered after steep declines.
Like other Asian vultures it was hit hard by drug poisoning.
Range & habitat
South and Southeast Asia.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poisoning, including veterinary drugs in carcasses
- Reduced food
- Habitat change
Why it matters
Part of the South Asian vulture collapse, the red-headed vulture underscores how scavengers — and the clean-up they provide — can vanish quickly.
Gallery
Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), India.
Image: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please menti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Red-headed Vulture
- IUCN Red List — look up Red-headed Vulture (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Asian vultures declined so sharply?
Why is the red-headed vulture Critically Endangered?
Last updated: