Canarian Egyptian Vultures

The Canarian Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus majorensis), or Guirre, is a large bird in the Gypaetinae subfamily of the Accipitridae.

It is an Egyptian Vulture subspecies which is endemic to the eastern Canary archipelago, in Macaronesia in the north Atlantic Ocean, where it is a scarce and endangered non-migratory resident.

Taxonomy

There are three recognised subspecies of the Egyptian Vulture:

N. p. percnopterus, the nominate subspecies, has the largest range, occurring in southern Europe, northern Africa (including the Cape Verde islands), the Middle East, Central Asia and the north-west of the Indian subcontinent
N. p. ginginianus, the smallest subspecies, occurs in most of the Indian subcontinent
N. p. majorensis, by far the most restricted, is found only in the Canary Islands and was described in 2002 after data from mitochondrial DNA sequencing supported the hypothesis that Egyptian Vultures in the Canary Islands form a genetically as well as an ecologically isolated population. The trinomial “majorensis” comes from the ancient name of the island of Fuerteventura, “Majorata”, in turn derived from its main tribe of native Guanches, called “Majos” by their Spanish conquerors in the 15th century.

Description

The Canarian Egyptian Vulture is larger than the other subspecies, averaging about 2.4 kg in weight, some 18% heavier than vultures of the nominate subspecies from Iberia.

Adults are mainly white in plumage, with black primary feathers, but often show varying amounts of rufous colouration, especially on the breast, crown, nape, median wing coverts and tail, from iron compounds in the local soils. The face is bare of feathers with yellow skin. The tail is diamond-shaped.

Distribution and habitat

The Canarian Egyptian Vulture was historically common, occurring on the islands of La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Now it is restricted to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, the two easternmost islands.

The total population was estimated in 2000 to comprise about 130 individuals, including 25–30 breeding pairs. It inhabits open, arid and rugged landscapes.

Breeding

The Canarian Egyptian Vulture generally nests on cliffs and in caves and crevices. The nests are located in breeding territories, of which there are about 27 that are active, 25 in Fuerteventura and 2 in Lanzarote, with the nests normally being reused every year. Sometimes other nest sites are used in the same territory. Rarely the birds may nest on the ground.

Feeding

The Canarian Egyptian Vulture is a scavenger and carrion eater.

Status and conservation

Having undergone a major decline, leaving only a tiny relict population, the Canarian Egyptian Vulture is considered to be highly endangered. Threats to the birds include death from electrocution and collision with powerlines, illegal poisoning, and lead intoxication from ingesting bullets.

In 1998–2000 breeding success was very low, with only about 0.5 fledglings produced for each pair; theft of eggs and young from the nest, as well as other forms of disturbance by humans, may account for cases of breeding failure.

Conservation actions being taken or planned include measures to mitigate powerline mortality, increased surveillance of nesting areas and public education. A further planned action is the creation of middens, or “vulture restaurants”, with the cooperation of local livestock breeders, for the birds to find supplementary food.