Justification This species has a moderately small global population which is suspected to be declining significantly owing to persecution by man. It is consequently classified as Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Cathartidae

Species name author Linnaeus, 1758

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000

decreasing

2,540,000 km²

No

Range & population Vultur gryphus occurs throughout the Andes, in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay south to Argentina and Chile³. It is threatened mostly in the north of its range, and is exceedingly rare in Venezuela and Colombia, where a re-introduction programme using captive-bred individuals is in operation^2,3. A similar project is underway in Argentina¹. Since 2000, declines have continued in Ecuador (c.65 birds in five disjunct populations remain⁶), Peru and Bolivia, but it remains numerous and appears to be stable in northern Argentina⁹. Populations in Venezuela (<30 individuals⁵) and Colombia may be maintained by reintroduction and feeding, but in Colombia at least the population may still be declining. The status of remaining populations is difficult to determine because its mortality, breeding frequency and success are so poorly known³.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is found principally over open grassland and alpine regions up to 5,000 m, descending to lowland desert regions in Chile and Peru^3,4, and over southern-beech forests in Patagonia.

Threats It is clearly adapted for exceptionally low mortality and reproductive output, and is therefore highly vulnerable to human persecution, which persists in parts of its range owing to alleged attacks on livestock³. Increased tourism in parts of Chile and Argentina may have led to a reduction in persecution by demonstrating the ecotourism value of the species⁸. The persecution of mountain lions and foxes through the illegal poisoning of carcasses may affect the species in some areas⁸.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I. CMS Appendix II.

Conservation measures proposed Census population based on use of photography/video to recognise individual birds at feeding stations⁷. Study extent to which species makes large-scale movements. Study potential impact on livestock and begin dialogue with farmers with the aim of reducing persecution.

References 1. J. C. Chebez in litt. (1999). 2. Hilty and Brown (1986). 3. Houston (1994). 4. Parker et al. (1996). 5. Cuesta and Sulbaran (2000). 6. R. Williams in litt. (2002). 7. Ríos-Uzeda and Wallace (2007). 8. S. Imberti in litt. (2003). 9. M. Pearman in litt. (2003).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Rob P Clay (Guyra Paraguay), Juan Mazar Barnett (Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors J. C. Chebez (Massey University), Mark Pearman, Rob Williams (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Vultur gryphus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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