First Egg for Critically Endangered Hooded Vultures

Two hooded vultures, who call the Horstmann Trust home, have laid their first egg. This is a significant event for the pair as it represents the first time that these hooded vultures have had the opportunity to breed and with this first egg are showing promising signs.

Hooded vultures are native to Sub-Saharan Africa and are classified as critically endangered. They face threats from poisoning, habitat loss and wildlife trafficking. Hooded vultures one of the smaller vulture species and known for their distinctive appearance with their hoods of fine soft feathers on heads and neck. Captive breeding pairs are vital to help support their wild counterparts and ensure a future for the species.

The pair were recently introduced to each other after showing signs they were interested in breeding, when housed in adjacent aviaries. They used to spend their time trying to preen each other through the aviary wall so staff moved them into their own aviary. By providing them with a nest ledge and plenty of sticks to line it with, the vultures were able to establish their bond over the nest building process, where the egg was then laid as spring began. The egg is a little larger than the size of a chicken egg and is pale in colour, with a smooth surface and a few pale pinky red markings.

Horstmann staff are monitoring the pair and egg carefully to ensure that it is incubated properly. Hooded vultures are known to incubate their eggs for about 52-56 days before hatching and during this time, the parents will take turns sitting on the egg, keeping it warm and protected.

This is an exciting time for the Horstmann Trust as although the egg isn’t guaranteed to be fertile with a first time pair, the egg marks a significant step for this new pair of birds. It is hoped that this will be the first of many eggs laid by these two birds and that they will go on to raise many successful chicks in the future.