A new record of a chick falling from a nest in Limpopo province, South Africa, adds to the known causes of Hooded Vulture <i>Necrosyrtes monachus</i> mortality

Abstract

For all species, causes of mortality, both anthropogenic and natural, should be recorded. In Critically Endangered species these records are even more important, owing to their potential impacts on small and/or declining populations. Here we present a case of natural mortality that occurred when a 20-day old Hooded Vulture nestling fell from its nest in Limpopo province, South Africa, which is a new cause of mortality for the Critically Endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus throughout its range. We also compile all known causes of mortality for Hooded Vultures from the scientific and grey literature. The carcass of this nestling was found on the ground below the nest some 25 days later. This cause of mortality is previously undocumented for this vulture species, and it was recorded on a series of photographs taken by a camera trap in the nest tree. We believe this cause of mortality to be uncommon when compared to other threats faced by this species.