Common Name: White-rumped Vulture
Scientific Name: Gyps bengalensis
Family: Accipitridae
Nepali Name: Dangar Gidha ( डंगर गिद्घ )
Size: 75 – 85 cm
Location: Kawasoti, Nawalparasi

Found in elevations ranging from 75 to 1800m, White-rumped Vulture is generally residents in the Terai lowlands of Nepal.

As the name suggests these medium-sized vultures have a white neck rump and a white neck ruff. It also has white on the back, underwing coverts. The head is dark with a mixture of pinkish tinge and the bill is silverly dark. Other parts of the body are black.

The decline in population in the early 2000s due to increased use of animal-related drugs like diclofenac for cattle, lack of prey, and other factors created conservation actions like the ban of the drug and creating safe feeding grounds for vultures. The population is on the increase but has been a shaky one with instances of poisoned canines being left in the open only to have the vultures eat and die.

With still a long way to go places like the Jatayu Vulture Restaurant are an important asset for conservation. The above picture was taken in Jatayu Vulture Restaurant.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.

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