Fauna

Gyps tenuirostris

Gyps tenuirostris
Latin name:Gyps tenuirostris
Vietnamese Name:Kền kền mỏ nhỏ
Family:Accipitridae
Order:Falconiformes
Class (Group):

Identification:

The Slender-billed Vulture is identified according to [citation needed]. Robson (2000) classifies it as a subspecies of the Indian Vulture – Gyps indicus (Scopoli, 1786), specifically G. i. tenuirostris Gray, 1844. Body length: 80 – 95 cm. The plumage is generally much lighter brown than that of the White-rumped Vulture (especially the wing coverts), but the head and neck are darker. During flight, the underwing coverts are similar in color to the body, lacking the white color seen in adult White-rumped Vultures. Both species have a white ruff at the neck (or in front of the chest). Legs are black.

Biology and Ecology:

This species is sedentary, rare, and moves within a limited range. Nesting occurs from October to March of the following year, with nests built in rock crevices or trees. They lay one egg, which is white with faint reddish-brown spots (79). In some countries, they have been observed nesting in small colonies, in trees, at heights of 7-14m above the ground. They feed on the carcasses of large livestock, or deer and wild pigs killed by predators.

Distribution:

  • In Vietnam: Historically: South Central Coast: Gia Lai (Plei Ku), South. Currently: No information available.
  • Globally: India (Sikkim, Assam), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia.

Value:

This is a very rare species, with scientific value.

Status:

Previously, the species was found in Southern Vietnam at various times: 1883 (Oates, 1883) and 1938-1939 (Engelbach, 1940); in South Central Vietnam: 1938-1939 (Engelbach, 1940), specifically in the Pleiku area, 1939 (David Beaulieu, 1939). Delacour et al. (1931) recorded the species in Tay Ninh and Phan Rang.

The Slender-billed Vulture is currently endangered in Asia and globally. Currently, no further information about this species has been gathered in Vietnam. Threats to population decline include diseases, viral infections transmitted through carrion consumption. Furthermore, they are still hunted (in March 1993, one was shot dead in Laos) and are affected by the use of poison and disturbance in Thailand.

Ranking:

Data Deficient (DD)

Conservation Measures:

Conservation measures should be implemented as for similar species. In addition, further taxonomic research is required, based on the use of specimens.