The Egyptian vulture, also called the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh's chicken, is a small Old World vulture in the monotypic genus Neophron. It is widely distributed from the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, West Asia and India. The contrasting underwing pattern and wedge-shaped tail make it distinctive in flight as it soars in thermals during the warmer parts of the day. Egyptian vultures feed mainly on carrion but are opportunistic and will prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They also feed on the eggs of other birds, breaking larger ones by tossing a large pebble onto them.
Egyptian vulture
N. p. ginginianus in flight, India
Adult N. percnopterus in captivity showing white plumage.
N. p. percnopterus in flight (Israel) showing the characteristic wing and tail shape.
Old World vultures are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and which belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks.
Old World vulture
Image: Bearded Vulture with bone Catalan Pyrenees Spain
Image: Palm nut Vulture Murchison Falls NP Uganda 06 5600 (15280673919)
Image: Egyptian vulture