Description: The upper and lower surface of the wings of sdult white-backed vultures (Gyps africanus) are white on on the leading third but otherise dark. They also have a white ring around their neck and feathers on their back are also whitish. The rest of their feathers are dark. Standing adults look like they have a white cape - the white back suggested by the English name but their back feathers are also whitish. Juvenile birds are mostly dark. Like other vultures, White-backed vultures have only down feathers on the head and neck, broad wings, and short tail feathers.
Diet: Like other vultures, White-backed vultures are scavengers, feeding on animal carcasses and scraps discarded by humans.
Nests White-backed vultures build their nests in trees. The nests are about 1 m in diameter, which means they require a fairly strong tree. They lay only one egg in a season.
White-backed vultures are considered CRITICALLY ENDANGERED. A major problem is loss of trees, whether from intentional clearing, fire, or destruction by elephants. They are also poisoned by compounds in the meat they scavenge, such as medications given to livestock, and poisons used by poachers to kill large wild animals.