To complete our analysis of the SAFRING vulture longevity records we have one final species to calculate; the White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis). With an estimated global population of between 10,500-18,750 individuals this species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN redlist[ref]. The major factors for this decline are similar to that of the other vultures (previous Safring Stories), and include reduced food availability (carrion), hunting for trade (muti), persecution, power line collisions poisoning (accidental strychnine poisoning) and loss of habitat.
Our longevity record for this vulture species is our lowest at nearly six years. This individual was first ringed as a chick in Gonarezhou Game Reserve, Zimbabwe by Dr Peter Mundy in 1979. As we only have 89 records (85 initial, 2 retraps and 2 recoveries) for this species, the calculated longevity is likely to be very inaccurate. The longevity records for each of the other vultures in our database can be read by clicking the links (Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Cape Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture). Although Southern Africa is host to a few other vulture species, Safring does not currently have any suitable records to calculate the longevities.
If you feel you know of an older record please contact us at SAFRING with the details.
The photo included with this article is accredited to Dave Rimmer and was linked from BirdPix.
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| Taxonomy | Maximum Longevity |
| Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Trigonoceps |
6+ years (Roberts 7) 5.68 years (SAFRING) |
| Species | Ring Number |
| Trigonoceps occipitalis | G11855 |
| Common name | Sample size |
| White-headed Vulture | Ringed: 85 Retrapped: 2 Recovered: 2 Total: 89 |
