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Authors: Asrat Aero, Tsegaye Gadisa, Habtamu Tadesse
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Abstract

The study was on African white-backed vulture populations across two seasons, dry (Dec–Feb) and wet (Jun–Aug), during 2024–2025. Monthly surveys included three counts each month to capture seasonal shifts and daily behaviors such as perching, wing‑spreading, preening, soaring, ground scanning, aggressive displays at carcasses, feeding, directed flights to roosts, social calls, and arrivals at roost sites. Preliminary observations were first made at feeding locations (abattoirs, dumps, colonies) and breeding areas to better understand vulture activities related to feeding, roosting and nesting.The census targeted African White‑backed Vultures (alongside Hooded and Rüppell’s Vultures) at abattoirs, waste sites, and breeding areas from June 2024 to February 2025. Researchers followed a fixed route and surveyed each site twice daily, mid-morning (06:00–11:00) and late afternoon (14:00–18:00), when the birds were most active. This effort was repeated for three consecutive weeks each month, covering both the dry (Dec‑Feb) and wet (Jun‑Aug) seasons. Species identification relied on plumage and size cues (e.g., white‑backed adults have a white back, hooded vultures have a “hood” and red face, Rüppell’s have a white bill and neck collar). Recorded data: date, time, GPS location, altitude, total count, and age class (adult vs. juvenile). Habitat details (forest edge, open area, breeding site, abattoir, dump) and perch/tree species were also logged. Observation tools: Vortex Optics Triumph HD 10×42 binoculars and a Minolta Pro Shot 20 MP camera with 67× zoom. Counts were made from fixed points for set durations, with simultaneous observers to avoid double‑counting. After any disturbance, a 3–5 minute settling period was observed before counting resumed. Adults: distinctive whitish back contrasting with darker body/flight feathers. Juveniles: overall darker, uniform plumage lacking the white back. Sex was not assessed due to lack of external differences. Confirmed breeding sites were limited to Afromontane forests in the Kafa Zone, where vultures nested in rocky cliffs and caves; no active nests were found elsewhere.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Avian ecology and behavior Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Figshare
Publication date
31 January 2026