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True vultures can be found only in the Old World, i. e. Europe, Asia and Africa. Four of 14 species are endangered and other four ones are critically endangered. Their main threats are poisoning by poisoned baits as well as an overall decline of free-moving cattle populations in the landscape.
Vultures are a very important part of the ecosystem. Their main function is the health police – they consume the bodies of dead animals. Most of them have a feather collar around their neck. When they bury their head to the bowels of dead animals, most of the blood flow down only to the feathered collar, so the other feathers are not soiled.
During their flight, they use the irregular heating of the airstreams for their passive gliding. Active flight is, then, more energy-consuming for them. They are also able to walk in the ground and to run in shorter distances.
They built their nests in the trees as well as on the rocks. Surprisingly, they are of few big birds of prey which may also nest in colonies. They are also long-living. In captivity, they can live up to 100 years.
