Lappet-faced Vulture

Lappet-faced Vulture
Lappet-faced Vulture (Immature)
Scientific Name 
Torgos tracheliotos
Arabic Name 
النسر الأصلع
Kuwaiti name 
نسر
Family 
Kites - Hawks - Eagles
Width 
290.0 cm
Length 
105.0 cm
Vulnerable
Similar species 
Cinereous Vulture

In Kuwait

Vagrant
Non-breeder

Information

Extremely rare vagrant. The species has declined in its very restricted range in the Arabian Peninsula. It is the largest vulture in Africa, typically scavenging in savannahs and deserts.
Where in Kuwait 
Only one record for Kuwait at Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve in mid April 2008.
In the world 
Classified as Vulnerable since only a small, declining population remains. There are two subspecies of lappet-faced vulture. The African subspecies (Torgos tracheliotus tracheliotus) and the north-east African subspecies (Torgos tracheliotus negevensis). Unusually for vultures, this species also occasionally hunts and kills live prey.
Local threats 
Poisoning, persecution and ecosystem alterations.