Group of vultures competing for food on the Serengeti plains, showcasing the "greedy game" of scavengers at a fresh kill.
This bad-tempered Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) would have preferred to dine alone on the Serengeti plains. Unfortunately, he couldn't drive the competition off at the same time. As soon as he chased off one rival, another moved in for a bite of the sprawling carcass.
Witnessing the "Greedy Game" of Serengeti Scavengers
We watched, amused, as this greedy game of “get your head out of my cape buffalo” went on and on. Known as the efficient garbage collector of East Africa, these vultures prefer fresh kills but won't hesitate to fuss over rotting ones too.
Meet the Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli)
Rüppell's Vulture is an efficient scavenger in East Africa. As the photo above shows, the bird’s unique scaled plumage is completely puffed out in a defensive display, shielding a buffalo carcass from rival scavengers. Its bare head and long, downy neck are on full display—useful traits that prevents gore from clinging to its feathers while it reaches deep inside a kill. This moment captures the raw, chaotic "pecking order" that defines survival on the Serengeti.
Yuck.
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For more on this high flying African vulture, see the post here.