About Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli, 1786)
Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli, 1786), commonly called the red-headed vulture, is a medium-sized vulture. Adults measure 76 to 86 cm (30 to 34 in) in body length, weigh between 3.5 and 6.3 kg (7.7 to 13.9 lb), and have a wingspan ranging from approximately 1.99 to 2.6 m (6.5 to 8.5 ft). This species has a distinct bare head: the head is deep-red to orange in adult individuals, and paler red in juveniles. Its body plumage is black, with a pale grey band at the base of the flight feathers. Male and female red-headed vultures can be distinguished by iris color: males have paler, whitish irises, while females have dark brown irises. The red-headed vulture is very similar in appearance to its larger relative, the lappet-faced vulture found in Africa and Arabia, and it was historically classified within the genus Torgos. Historically, this distinctive vulture with its brightly colored face was abundant and had a wide range across the Indian subcontinent, extending eastwards through south-central and southeastern Asia from India to Singapore. Currently, the red-headed vulture's range is restricted mainly to northern India. It typically inhabits open country, cultivated areas, and semi-desert regions. It can also be found in deciduous forests, foothills, and river valleys. It generally occurs at altitudes from sea level up to 3000 m.
