Common Name: Hooded Vulture
Scientific Name: Necrosyrtes monachus

Distribution: Wide range in sub-Saharan Africa; from Senegal in the west, to Somalia in the east, and central Niger to NE South Africa.

Biology: Found in open ladscapes of woodland and savannah, into urban areas where the species can be found in close proximity to humans. Like other species of vulture, the Hooded vulture freed on carrion, but insects and other invertebrates are also known to make up a substantial part of their diet, along with supplements comprising of human leftovers and even fruit from oil palms.
Usually quite gregarious, Hooded Vultures can be found in larger groups during noon, in the shape of palms and other trees. Such gathering are most likely to be seen in The Gambia; the last stronghold of the species.

IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Like most other species of old world vulture, the Hooded Vulture has unfortunately seen a dramatic decline over the last couple of generation. Like other african vulture species the Hooded Vulture is threatened primarily by direct and indirect poisoning through carcases, most concerning those left by poachers. Also the species is know to be targeted by hunters, and sold either as bushmeat or for use in traditional medicine practices.
Currently multiply larger projects are underway to aid the population, not only of Hooded, but all african species of vultures, some of which being those carried out by BirdLife International.

Vultures are crucial for the health of their ecosystems, since they remove decaying matter that otherwise functions as reservoirs for deceases and other patogens. By being such affective scavengers, vultures therefore minimises the spread of these diseases and thus possible outbreaks of epidemics in local animal communities.