Information About The Lizard Bird

About the lizard bird

The Egyptian Vulture is known by several names, such as the anuq, the peregrine falcon, and the Egyptian vulture (scientific name: Neophron percnopterus), and it is one of the types of Old World vultures whose origins go back to the countries of India, the regions of North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula, It belongs to the Accipitridae family and the Accipitriformes order . The most important information about this bird is the following:

Home of the lizard bird

This bird can be found in tall trees and rocky ledges within the arid plains areas, and it can also live near human residential areas. It can find food in those areas, and it lives in the country of Spain within the southern European region, and in the countries of northern and southern Africa, and some parts of the continent of Asia. Some of its individuals can also be found in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, and in general the number of individuals of this species is decreasing. The bird is constantly being subjected to hunting and habitat loss.

It is worth noting here that these birds are considered migratory birds that move during the breeding season to different nesting sites to lay eggs and care for the young.

Breeding of the lizard bird

The vulture bird is considered one of the birds that mates with one partner for life. It usually lays two eggs in a huge nest made of fur and various scraps. It usually reproduces during the breeding season, which extends between the months of March and May, and this may vary. From one type to another depending on their different geographical locations.

The eggs usually take 39-45 days to hatch, and the female incubates them during that period sometimes alone. As for caring for the young after hatching and feeding them, the parents usually share it together so that the young can rely on themselves.

The diet of the lizard bird

These birds can eat carrion or dead animals, and they also feed on small animals such as reptiles, amphibians, snails, crustaceans, and bird eggs and their chicks sometimes. They are among the smart birds that use rocks to break large bird eggs before eating them. They may also feed on lizard birds. On large animal waste and human waste.

Size and external shape of the lizard bird

The average length of the lizard bird is about 68 cm, and its mass ranges between 1.5-2.1 kilograms. It is characterized by a long and slender beak, hooked at the end, elongated nostril slits, long neck feathers, a wedge-shaped tail, and thin pointed wings.

Adult birds have black flight feathers and a white body. Wild birds sometimes appear brown in color. They have a yellow face, devoid of feathers, and a black beak. Males are similar to females in shape, except that females are slightly larger in size, and young ones are black. Or brown in color with black and white spots, and the face of this bird usually turns from yellow to orange during the breeding season.