• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Lappet Faced Vulture

© Kay E. Mahoney

Lappet Faced Vulture

Uploaded: September 28, 2009

Description

The Lappet-faced vulture is an Old World vulture that gets its name from the lappets (flat overlapping and hanging pieces)on its bare, pink head. Its feathers are mostly black and brown, but it has a white underbelly. With a wingspan of about 9 feet, it dominates other vultures when feeding.
Vultures are scavengers, meaning they eat animals that have died. Some vultures eat only large carcasses. However, the Lappet-faced vulture will also eat smaller items, including living prey. This gives them alternate food sources when carcasses are rare.
The Lappet-faced vulture is considered and Old World vulture because it comes from the "Old World", which includes Africa, Asia, and Europe. The New World vultures are found in North and South America, which is considered the "New World." The Lappet-faced vulture relies on sight alone to locate food, so heavily wooded areas pose a problem.
Taken at the Jacksonville Zoo. Jacksonville, FL

Comments

Patrick Rouzes level-classic September 28, 2009

Exceptional textures, fantastic tones, colors, clarity,dof & expression captured here!!! Nice lighting too!!! Fabulous job on this,Kay!!! WTG!!!

FASCINATING info too!!! #1185694

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe September 28, 2009

Fantastic close-up of this not to attractive vulture, Kay. Terrific details and clarity. #7990327

Linda D. Lester level-classic September 28, 2009

Only a mother could love....excellent capture! #7990386

Val Feldman level-deluxe September 28, 2009

You have me totally amazed...what wonderful information - a 9 FOOT wing span!!! Have to admit, he's not the most attractive bird...but you sure captured his predatory nature perfectly! Well done and super information! #7990417

Amy M. Wilson September 28, 2009

Linda said it... but you've captured it in wonderful detail and clarity and have presented such interesting info... well done, Kay! #7990419

Jeff Robinson level-deluxe September 28, 2009

Terrific capture and info Kay! Jeff #7990554

Eugenio Diaz September 28, 2009

WOW!!! AMZING bird portrait!
Great details and light!
Thanks for the great information!
Good work, Kay! #7990623

Cliff & Patti Smith level-classic September 28, 2009

Not the prettiest bird but, a great capture Kay! #7990695

Courtenay Vanderbilt September 28, 2009

LOL @ Linda! I agree, this poor bird is not the prettiest, but your capture is spot on, Kay! #7991033

Karen Bacon September 28, 2009

Such a serious looking expression!!!Terrific close-up Kay! #7991399

Thomas E. Hinds September 28, 2009

What wonderful details of this huge bird! Great textures! I just captured one of these guys myself at the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque. I did not get a close-up with my 300mm lens! This is really amazing! They are such massive birds, really gigantic! #7992035

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 29, 2009

Thank you everyone for all of your comments. He sure does look sad. #7994400

Laura E. Swan level-classic September 29, 2009

WOW! What a MUG! He looks really serious...and like someone I recognize...Maybe someone in Hollywood? I can't place it but what a charictor face indeed!!! Interesting info read, too!!!

Love it and you did a great job, Kay!

-Laura #7995757

Cassie L. Woodlee September 30, 2009

Oh he looks so mean well and ugly. Great detail Kay!!! #7997117

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 30, 2009

Thank you Laura and Cassie for your comments. #7998232

Mark Dodge September 30, 2009

Facinating read, Kay. Thanks for the information. It's amazing how "angry" this bird looks. Incredible details. Very nice shot! #7998478

Kay Beausoleil September 30, 2009

Interesting read, Kay -- great info. With those looks, it's a wonder they reproduce ... but you made a compelling image of it! #7998630

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 30, 2009

Thank you Mark and Kay for your comments. #7999038

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

BetterPhoto.com Editor's Pick


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Kay E. Mahoney.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.