Indian Vulture

• An Indian vulture was spotted in the skyline of Thane recently.
• A vulture has not been spotted over two decades in the city.

About Indian vulture

• Scientific name- Gyps indicus
• The Indian vulture or long-billed vulture is a bird of prey native to the Indian subcontinent.
  • Countries include- India, Pakistan and Nepal
• It is an Old World vulture belonging to the family of Accipitridae.
• It is a medium-sized vulture with a small, semi-bald head with little feathers, long beak, and wide dark colored wings.
• Females of this species are smaller than males.
• Threat –Poisioning by feeding on carcasses of cattle administered Diclofenac (a veterinary drug)
• Protection status
  • IUCN red list- Critically Endangered