No Risk, No Reward - Taking The Lion's Share
African Birdlife|July/August 2018

Most African vultures depend pri-marily on the kills made by large carnivores for their food.

Grant Atkinson
No Risk, No Reward - Taking The Lion's Share

This perhaps best applies to those birds that spend their time within naturally functioning wild areas where large carnivores still live and flourish. Rüppell’s, White-backed, Lappet-faced, White-headed and Hooded vultures, as well as Tawny Eagles and Black Kites, routinely feed in this way. Scavenging from a kill made by another animal is an excellent strategy as the birds are able to feed on a high-protein food source without having to expend energy or expose themselves to the risk that comes with subduing large prey.

This story is from the July/August 2018 edition of African Birdlife.

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This story is from the July/August 2018 edition of African Birdlife.

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