Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)

True vultures are found only in the Old World, specifically in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Out of the 14 vulture species, four are endangered, and another four are critically endangered. Their main threats include poisoning from baited carcasses and a general decline in free-ranging cattle populations across their habitats. Vultures play a crucial role in ecosystems, often referred to as "nature's health police" because they consume the remains of dead animals, helping to prevent the spread of disease. Most vultures have a feathered collar around their neck. When they immerse their heads in carcasses, blood and fluids collect on this collar, preventing other feathers from becoming soiled. In flight, vultures rely on thermal updrafts (rising warm air currents) for passive gliding, which conserves energy. Active flight, by contrast, is more energy intensive. Vultures can also walk on the ground and even run short distances. Vultures build their nests both in trees and on rocky ledges. Surprisingly, they are among the few large birds of prey that may nest in colonies. Known for their longevity, vultures can live up to 100 years in captivity.