Hooded Vulture
CR

Hooded Vulture

Necrosyrtes monachus

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooded_vulture

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Hooded Vulture faces catastrophic population declines across its African range, with numbers plummeting by over 80% in recent decades. Widespread poisoning from veterinary drugs like diclofenac, deliberate targeting by farmers protecting livestock, and persecution for traditional medicine practices represent the most severe threats. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development further compounds these pressures, while collision with power lines causes additional mortality.

Threat summary

Habitat

Hooded Vultures inhabit open savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions across sub-Saharan Africa, often near human settlements where they scavenge around villages and towns. They prefer areas with scattered trees for nesting and roosting, adapting well to agricultural landscapes and pastoral systems.

Forest· majorSavanna· majorGrassland· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorDesert· major

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryAwareness & communicationsLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hooded Vulture classified as Critically Endangered?
Hooded Vulture is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Hooded Vulture faces catastrophic population declines across its African range, with numbers plummeting by over 80% in recent decades. Widespread poisoning from veterinary drugs like diclofenac, deliberate targeting by farmers protecting livestock, and persecution for traditional medicine practices represent the most severe threats. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development further compounds these pressures, while collision with power lines causes additional mortality.
Where does Hooded Vulture live?
Hooded Vulture occurs in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Central African Republic (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hooded Vulture?
The main threats to Hooded Vulture are 2.3, 5.1, 5.1.1, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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