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Doug J | all galleries >> Birds, Birds, Birds >> Non-passeriformes Gallery > Egyptian Vulture - egg toss
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Egyptian Vulture - egg toss

Scientific name: Coragyps atratus
Order: Falconiformes

Also called Scavenger Vulture

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The Egyptian Vulture is found from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is one of the species that are known to use tools. It uses small rocks to crack thick-shelled ostrich eggs by lifting a stone with its beak and hitting the egg in a strong swing of head and neck. Presumably, this is culturally learned, by observing others in the social group. This is very effective in survival for the Egyptian vulture.

Egyptian Vultures are scavengers, mainly feeding off carrion, but they also prey on small mammals and eggs. Due to its relatively small size, it needs to wait until other scavengers (such as the larger Gyps vultures, hyenas, and lions) finish their meal before it may start feeding.

Canon EOS 30D ,Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/2000s f/3.5 at 300.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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