Vultures and condors are among the most abundant and spectacular birds of prey in the wild. Masters of gliding flight, they survive by being supremely efficient scavengers, rather than by hunting and killing prey for themselves. Yet their in wildlife communities is often misunderstood.
There are 22 different species of vultures in the world, found in North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. The name condors is given to two of the most dramatic American vultures, the California and Andean condors.
David Houston has studied vultures and condors in the field for over thirty years. In this vividly illustrated wildlife portrait, he explains how they have had to aquire remarkable adaptations for their specialised way of life, and why in many places, these large birds are highly endangered by man’s activities.