Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

Sure! Here are the answers to the 10 questions about the Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus):

1. What is the scientific name of the Indian Vulture?
   Gyps indicus
2. What is the primary habitat of the Indian Vulture?
   Indian Vultures are primarily found in open forests, grasslands, and scrublands across the Indian subcontinent.
3. Why is the Indian Vulture considered a critically endangered species?
   Because of a dramatic population decline due to poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, habitat loss, and other human-related threats.
4. What role does the Indian Vulture play in the ecosystem?
   They are scavengers that help clean up carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases and maintaining ecological balance.
5. What is the main cause of the decline in the Indian Vulture population?
   The widespread use of the veterinary drug diclofenac in livestock, which is toxic to vultures when they feed on treated carcasses.
6. What kind of diet does the Indian Vulture have?
   They are scavengers feeding mainly on the carcasses of dead animals.
7. How does the Indian Vulture contribute to preventing the spread of diseases?
   By quickly consuming animal carcasses, they reduce the chances of disease outbreaks from decaying bodies.
8. What conservation measures are being taken to protect the Indian Vulture?
   Banning the use of diclofenac, establishing vulture safe zones, captive breeding programs, and public awareness campaigns.
9. What physical characteristics distinguish the Indian Vulture from other vultures?
   They have a bare head and neck with a white neck ruff, brownish body feathers, and a strong hooked beak suited for tearing flesh.
10. Which veterinary drug is known to be toxic to Indian Vultures and contributed to their population decline?
    Diclofenac.

Certainly! Here are some notable images of the Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus):

For more high-quality images and information, you can visit the Wikimedia Commons category for Gyps indicus.

Sure! Here’s a detailed overview of the Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus):

Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Accipitriformes
• Family: Accipitridae
• Genus: Gyps
• Species: Gyps indicus

Description:

• The Indian Vulture is a large bird of prey, primarily a scavenger feeding on carrion.
• It has a bald head with a pale, pinkish skin, helping keep it clean when feeding on carcasses.
• The plumage is mostly brown, with paler underparts and darker flight feathers.
• The wingspan ranges from about 2.2 to 2.6 meters (7.2 to 8.5 feet).
• Adults have a distinctive white ruff around the neck.

Distribution and Habitat:

• Native to the Indian subcontinent — mainly India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Found in open habitats such as grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural areas.
• Often seen soaring high in the sky searching for carrion.

Behavior:

• Indian Vultures are obligate scavengers, meaning they primarily eat dead animals.
• They play a vital ecological role by cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases.
• They nest on cliffs or tall trees, usually laying a single egg.
• They are social birds, often found in groups at carcasses.

Conservation Status:

• The Indian Vulture is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
• Population declined by over 99% in the last few decades.
• The primary cause of the decline was poisoning by the veterinary drug diclofenac, used in livestock.
• Conservation efforts include banning diclofenac, captive breeding programs, and awareness campaigns.

Interesting Facts:

• Indian Vultures have an exceptional ability to digest toxic carcasses without getting sick.
• Their sharp eyesight allows them to spot dead animals from great heights.
• The drastic decline of Indian Vultures led to increased feral dog populations and rise in diseases like rabies due to leftover carcasses.