Stuee.Singh at 03:56, 19 February 2026

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{{Short description|Species of vulture}}
{{speciesbox
| status = CR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn|author=BirdLife International|date=2021|title=''Gyps indicus''|article-number=e.T22729731A204672586 |access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
| image = Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg
| image_caption = Indian vulture
| genus = Gyps
| species = indicus
| authority = ([[Giovanni Antonio Scopoli|Scopoli]], 1786)<ref>{{cite book |author=Scopoli, J. A. |year=1786–88 |title=Deliciae Flora et Fauna Insubricae Ticini. An account including new descriptions of the birds and mammals collected by Pierre Sonnerat on his voyages |location=London |publisher=C. J. Clay |pages=7–18 |chapter=Aves |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924005326800/page/n13/mode/2up}}</ref>
| range_map = GypsBengalensisMap.svg
| range_map_caption = Distribution in purple
}}
The '''Indian vulture''' or '''long-billed vulture''' ('''''Gyps indicus''''') is a [[bird of prey]] native to the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is an [[Old World vulture]] belonging to the family of [[Accipitridae]]. It is a medium-sized vulture with a small, semi-bald head with little feathers, long beak, and wide dark colored wings. It breeds mainly on small cliffs and hilly crags in [[central India]] and [[south India]].

The Indian vulture is a [[keystone species]] that has been listed as [[Critically Endangered]] on the [[IUCN Red List]] since 2002, as the population has severely declined during the [[Indian vulture crisis]]. It is estimated that there are 5,000-15,000 mature individuals in the wild. The main cause of the decline was identified as kidney failure caused by the drug [[diclofenac]], which was commonly given to cattle to reduce joint pain. It is thought that diclofenac poisoned vultures that ate the flesh of dead cattle. Diclofenac bans were enacted in [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Nepal]] in 2006.

The bird shares its habitat with other vulture species in the same genus (particularly the [[slender-billed vulture]] (''Gyps tenuirostris'') and [[white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps bengalensis'')) in some parts of its range.

==Taxonomy==
The Indian vulture is placed in the genus [[Gyps]] (old world vultures), and gets both its common and specific scientific names from its nativity to the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World |author1=Del Hoyo, J. |author2=Collar, N. J. |volume=2 |publisher=Lynx Edicions |place=Spain |year=2014 |isbn=978-84-96553-98-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uKCCAQAACAAJ}}</ref> The genus name is from [[Ancient Greek]] ''gups'' meaning "vulture" and the species name is Neo-Latin ''indicus'' from the Ancient Greek "indikós" meaning "Indian".<ref>{{cite book|author=Jobling, J. A. |title=The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names |year=2009 |publisher=Christopher Helm |place=London |isbn=978-1-4081-2501-4 |pages=183, 205 |url=https://archive.org/stream/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling#page/n183/mode/1up}}</ref>

The [[slender-billed vulture]] (''Gyps tenuirostris'') was a sub-species of Indian vulture until 2001. Based on [[Cell nucleus|nuclear]] and [[mitochondria]]l DNA evidence, it was separated into a different species from the Indian vulture in 2001.<ref>{{cite book|title=Vultures, their Evolution, Ecology and Conservation|author=O'Neal Campbell, M. |year=2015|page=16|isbn=978-1-4822-2362-0|publisher=CRC Press|lang=en}}</ref><ref name="BL">{{cite web |author=BirdLife International |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/indian-vulture-gyps-indicus/details |title=Indian Vulture factsheet|access-date=25 August 2023|publisher=BirdLife International}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=Rasmussen, P. C.|author2=Parry, S. J.|year=2001|title=The taxonomic status of the "Long-billed" Vulture ''Gyps indicus''|page=18}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
The range of the Indian vulture extended from southeastern [[Pakistan]] to south [[India]] and to [[Indochina]] and the northern [[Malay Peninsula]] in the east.<ref name="PF"/> It is now extinct in [[South East Asia]] with current populations existing mostly in [[central India|central]] and [[South India|peninsular India]], south of the [[Gangetic plain]]s. It is also found in southwest Pakistan, [[Bangladesh]] and [[Nepal]].<ref name="BL"/><ref name="PF">{{cite web|url=https://www.peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/vultures/long-billed-vulture|title=Explore Raptors species|publisher=Peregrine fund|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

It is also found in various land-forms ranging from semi-[[desert]] to dry foot hills, open fields and cultivable lands near villages, near garbage dumps and slaughter houses in urban areas.<ref name="FL"/><ref name="DS">{{cite book|title=Raptor Medicine, Surgery, and Rehabilitation |edition=Third |page=42|author=Scott, D. |publisher=CABI|year=2020|isbn=978-1-78924-610-0}}</ref> They are not migratory but travel hundreds of miles in a day scavenging for food. Indian vultures nest on cliffs or high buildings and rarely on trees.<ref name="DS"/>

==Description==
[[File:White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) & Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg|left|thumb|[[White-rumped vulture]] (left) and Indian vulture (right)]]
[[File:Long billed vulture.jpg|thumb|Indian vulture in flight showing its wing span]]
The Indian vulture is bulky and medium in size. Its body and [[covert feather]]s are pale brown with darker [[flight feather]]s. It has white thighs with scattered white fluff and broad wings with short tail feathers.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds |isbn=978-1-4053-3616-1|page=191|year=2011|publisher=Dorling Kindersley |author=BirdLife International}}</ref> It has a small, bare, dark-brown head with a long featherless neck, dark eyes and a long yellowish [[beak]] with a pale green-yellow [[cere]].<ref name="PF"/><ref name="PG">{{cite book|title=Photographic Guide to the Birds of India and the Indian Subcontinent|author1=Grewal, B. |author2=Harvey, B. |author3=Pfister, O.|name-list-style=amp |year=2014|page=186|isbn=978-1-4629-1485-2|publisher=Tuttle Publishing}}</ref> It is {{cvt|89|-|103|cm}} long and has a wing span of {{cvt|2.22|-|2.58|m}}.<ref name="FL">{{cite book |last1=Ferguson-Lees |first1=J. |last2=Christie|first2=D. A.|name-list-style=amp |year=2001 |title=Raptors of the World |location=Boston, New York |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=0-618-12762-3|page=124|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hlIztc05HTQC&pg=PA120}}</ref>

The bald heads allow them to maintain body temperature in response to the environment. When it is cold, they tuck their necks in closer to their bodies to keep them warm and when it is hot, they extend their necks.<ref name="PF"/> Indian vultures have very few feathers on their heads which help them to keep their heads clean when they stick them into the rotting carcasses to feed.<ref name="PF"/>

It weighs {{cvt|5.5|-|6.3|kg}} and is comparatively smaller than the [[Eurasian griffon]]. It is distinguished from that species by its less bulky body and [[wing covert]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peregrinefund.org/vulture_factsheet.asp#Long-billed%20Vulture |title=The Peregrine Fund |publisher=The Peregrine Fund |date=2010 |access-date=31 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526203258/http://www.peregrinefund.org/vulture_factsheet.asp#Long-billed%20Vulture |archive-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>

==Behaviour and ecology==
The Indian vulture is a powerful flier and soars on [[thermal]] convection currents. It reaches speeds of 35 km/h (22 mph) when gliding and can fly for six to seven hours continuously.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestanimalreports.com/the-indian-long-billed-vulture-46071e908fb3|title=The Indian Long-Billed Vulture|date=5 September 2021|publisher=bestanimalreports.com|access-date=26 August 2023}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Indian vulture nests mainly on cliffs and is usually found is small flocks, sometimes with other vulture species.<ref name="PG"/>

=== Diet and feeding ===
[[File:The Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) or Long-billed Vulture.jpg|thumb|An Indian vulture flying]]
The Indian vulture is a [[keystone species]] in its habitats and is a [[scavenging]] bird, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals.<ref name="Cam">{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/blog/2022/09/28/south-asian-vultures-and-diclofenac/|title=South Asian vultures and diclofenac|author1=Burfield, I.|name-list-style=amp |author2=Bowden, C. |date=2022|publisher=Cambridge University |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by removing rotting meat that would otherwise spread disease.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/keystone/vulture.html|title=Exploring keystone species|publisher=HHMI|access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref> It covers wide areas sometimes ranging hundreds of miles in search of carcasses and mainly uses its eyesight to spot the same.<ref name="PG"/>

They are often attracted to large gatherings of other raptors or scavengers as this usually means that there is a [[carrion]] nearby. The Indian vultures generally feed on dead cattle and any leftovers by large predators. Individual birds often fight with each other to maintain the best position at the carcass. As Indian long-billed vultures are comparatively smaller than some other species, they have to sometimes back down to let other larger birds.<ref name="PF"/>

=== Lifespan and mortality ===
Indian vultures have a lifespan of 40 to 45 years. They sexually mature at five years of age.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/miscellaneous/vulture-culture-rescuing-the-big-bird/articleshow/66779764.cms?from=mdr|title=Vulture culture: Rescuing the big bird|publisher=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]]|date=24 November 2018|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> While vultures in the wild might have a longer lifespan, they are increasingly found close to human habitats. In the human habitats, Indian vultures are prone to higher mortality due to [[road kill]]s, [[electrocution]] on high power lines, collision with trains and other high structures such as [[windmills]].<ref>{{cite news|title=
Deaths of vultures by electrocution go unchecked in Tanahun|url=https://kathmandupost.com/gandaki-province/2022/01/23/deaths-of-vultures-by-electrocution-go-unchecked-in-tanahun|publisher=Kathmandu post|date=23 January 2022|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Four vultures die in Jaisalmer after hitting windmill, wires|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/four-vultures-die-in-jaisalmer-after-hitting-windmill-wires/articleshow/80869260.cms|date=4 February 2021|publisher=[[Times of India]]|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Train hits vultures in Jaisalmer, 4 killed|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/train-hits-eurasian-griffon-vultures-in-jaisalmer-4-killed/articleshow/95569134.cms|date=17 November 2022|publisher=[[Times of India]]|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> Apart from this, major cause of death has been [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug|NSAID]]s including [[Diclofenac]] commonly given to cattle to reduce joint pain which believed to have been passed onto the vultures thorough the flesh of dead cattle causing [[kidney failure]] and death in vultures.<ref name="Cam"/>

=== Reproduction ===
[[File:Vultures in the nest, Orchha, MP, India edit.jpg|thumb|Indian vultures nesting on a cliff]]
Indian vultures nest on cliffs, high buildings, and, more rarely, on trees. They sometimes build nests on old monuments and towers.<ref name="DS"/><ref name="ns"/><ref name="PF"/> A platform of sticks or twigs lined with leaves with the addition of green leaves advertising nest occupancy and fend off parasites.<ref name="ns">{{cite journal|title=Utilisation of green plant material in nests of Long-billed Vultures ''Gyps indicus'' in Bundelkhand Region, India|author=Kushwaha, S. |journal=Vulture News|volume=71|publisher=Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/vulnew/article/download/168873/158340|year=2016}}</ref>

Indian vultures reach breeding age at about five years old. Nest building starts in September and breeding happens between November and March.<ref name="ns"/> They often breed in [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] pairs and the females lay only one egg a year.<ref name="Gu">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/19/india-critically-endangered-vultures-wild-release-aoe|title=Born to be wild: India's first captive-bred endangered vultures set free|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Iyer, K. |date=2021|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> The egg is pure white or mottled with rusty spots. Both the parents take turns in incubating the egg and the egg hatches in about 50 days.<ref name="DS"/> The nests are often located near water sources such as rivers, lakes or ponds to enable them to maintain the humidity levels in the nests. The nests are located at higher altitudes with nearly 90% of the nests at an altitude of more than 900m.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

==Status and conservation==
===Population decline and recovery===
[[File:Indian Vulture1.jpg|thumb|Indian vultures are slow and difficult breeders.]]
{{See|Indian vulture crisis}}
Beginning in the 1990s, the Indian vulture species suffered a 97% population decrease in its range in the [[Indian subcontinent]] over a period of 10–15 years.<ref>{{cite book|title=The World's Rarest Birds|page=110|author1=Hirschfeld, E. |author2=Swash, A. |author3=Still, R. |year=2013|isbn=978-1-4008-4490-6|publisher=Princeton University Press|place=Princeton}}</ref> The species is classified as [[critically endangered]] in the [[IUCN Red List]] since 2002 due to the rapid decline in population.<ref name=iucn/> Currently, there are only an estimated 5000 to 15000 birds in the wild.<ref name="BirdLife"/>

This is conjunction with the rapid decline in the population of other related vulture species including the [[slender-billed vulture]] and [[white-rumped vulture]]. Between 2000 and 2007, the annual decline rates of this species averaged over sixteen percent.<ref name="BirdLife">{{ cite web |url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=31029 |title=BirdLife Fact Sheet: Indian vulture|access-date = 11 August 2014 |publisher=[[BirdLife International]]}}</ref> The cause of this rapid decline was identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug [[diclofenac]]. Diclofenac is a [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug]] commonly given to cattle to reduce joint pain. The drug is believed to have been passed onto the vultures thorough the flesh of dead cattle who were given diclofenac in their last days of life which then causes [[kidney failure]] in vultures.<ref name="Cam"/>

Data modelling revealed that a tiny proportion (about 0.8%) of livestock carcasses containing diclofenac can cause significant crash in vulture populations.<ref name="Gu"/> The decline in vulture population had a huge [[socio-economic]] impact in the region and drastically affected the conservation of the ecological balance. By removing all [[carrion]], vultures had helped decrease pollution, spread of diseases, and suppressed undesirable mammalian scavengers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Prakash|first1=V. |last2=Bishwakarma|first2=M. C. |last3=Chaudhary |first3=A. |last4=Cuthbert |first4=R. |last5=Dave |first5=R. |last6=Kulkarni |first6=M. |last7=Kumar |first7=S. |last8=Paudel |first8=K. |last9=Ranade |first9=S. |name-list-style=amp |date=2012 |title=The Population decline of ''Gyps'' Vultures in India and Nepal has slowed since veterinary use of Diclofenac was banned |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=7 |issue=11 |article-number=e49118 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0049118 |pmc=3492300 |pmid=23145090 |bibcode=2012PLoSO...749118P |doi-access=free}}</ref> Without vultures, a large number of animal carcasses were left to rot, posing a serious risk to human health by contaminating water supply and providing a potential breeding ground for infectious germs and proliferation of pests such as rats.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Prakash |first1=V. |last2=Pain |first2=D.J. |last3=Cunningham |first3=A.A. |last4=Donald |first4=P.F. |last5=Prakash |first5=N. |last6=Verma |first6=A. |last7=Gargi |first7=R. |last8=Sivakumar |first8=S. |last9=Rahmani |first9=A.R. |name-list-style=amp |title=Catastrophic collapse of Indian white-backed ''Gyps bengalensis'' and long-billed ''Gyps indicus'' vulture populations |journal=Biological Conservation |date=2003 |volume=109 |issue=3 |pages=381–390 |doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00164-7|bibcode=2003BCons.109..381P }}</ref> The loss of vultures also resulted in a substantial increase in the population of feral dogs, whose bites are the most common cause of human [[rabies]]. The feral dog population in India increased by least 5 million, resulting in over 38 million additional dog bites and more than 47,000 extra deaths from rabies, costing $34 billion in economic impact.<ref name="Cam"/> On average, it was estimated that human [[mortality rate]]s increased by more than 4% during the period of 2000 to 2005, when vulture population reached the lowest levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voxdev.org/topic/energy-environment/how-human-and-ecosystem-health-are-intertwined-evidence-vulture-population-collapse-india|title=How human and ecosystem health are intertwined: Evidence from vulture population collapse in India|date=2023|access-date=23 August 2023|publisher=Voxdev|archive-date=26 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826131057/https://voxdev.org/topic/energy-environment/how-human-and-ecosystem-health-are-intertwined-evidence-vulture-population-collapse-india}}</ref>

In March 2006, the [[government of India]] announced a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac. [[Meloxicam]], another NSAID was rapidly metabolized and harmless to vultures was suggested as an acceptable substitute for diclofenac.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1532045618301935|title=Percentage of faecal excretion of meloxicam in the Cape vultures (''Gyps corprotheres'')|date=2019 |doi=10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.10.001 |last1=Adawaren |first1=E. O. |last2=Mukandiwa |first2=L. |last3=Chipangura |first3=J. |last4=Wolter |first4=K. |last5=Naidoo |first5=V. |journal=Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology |volume=215 |pages=41–46 |pmid=30336288 |hdl=2263/67172 |s2cid=53011740 |hdl-access=free|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Nepal banned the manufacture and importation of diclofenac in June 2006 and Pakistan followed suit in September 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |author=McGrath, S. |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-vanishing-145631290/?all |title=The Vanishing |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine |date=2007}}</ref> Pharmaceutical companies were encouraged to the increase in the production of meloxicam aimed at reducing the cost down to diclofenac's own levels to make it more suitable for use. In 2015, the government of India ordered the vial size of the drugs to be reduced to 3ml to reduce the dosage administered to cattle.<ref name="Gu"/> In 2021, [[tolfenamic acid]] was identified as another alternative that is safe for vultures.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/2nd-vulture-safe-veterinary-pain-killer-drug-identified/articleshow/86101660.cms|publisher=[[Times of India]] |title=Second vulture-safe veterinary pain-killer drug identified|author=Pinjarkar, V. |date=2021|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="Cam"/>

After banning the drug in 2006, the vulture population rebounded and with the combined population relatively stable till 2011. But, further decline of vulture populations were reported in some states in [[India]].<ref name="BL"/> Despite the banning of diclofenac and reduction in usage by about 50%, the drug was still available for veterinary use.<ref name="Express">{{cite news |title=Banned diclofenac still kills vultures |first=R. |last=Jagga |date=2011 |newspaper=Express India |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/banned-diclofenac-still-kills-vultures/828303/ |access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref> There were other compounds like [[aceclofenac]] and [[ketoprofen]] which were in use and were harmful.<ref name="Tri">{{cite news |title=Diclofenac threat to 7 vulture species |publisher=Tribune India |date=2023|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/diclofenac-threat-to-7-vulture-species-477388|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> In 2008, the government of India enacted a law declaring the sale of diclofenac as a imprisonable offense.<ref name="Cam"/> Later surveys found that the population was recovering slowly and the decline has been significantly slowed in India, Pakistan and Nepal following a strict ban on the drug.<ref name="BL"/><ref name=Cam/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/madhya-pradesh-s-vulture-population-increases-62867|title=Madhya Pradesh's vulture population increases|author=Ghai, R. |date=2019 |publisher=Times of India |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

===Conservation===
Captive-breeding programmes for the Indian vulture were started to help recover its numbers. As the vultures are long-lived, slow-breeding and notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, the programmes are expected to take longer.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/publications/english/2012%20(2).pdf|title=Central zoo Authority|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> The captive-bred birds will be released to the wild when the environment is clear of diclofenac.

In 2014, ''Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction'' programme was announced to start releasing captive-bred birds into the wild by 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinver|first=M. |title=Project targets 2016 for Asian vultures release|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25963100|access-date=2 February 2014 |newspaper=BBC News|date=2014}}</ref> In 2016, [[Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore]] released captive bred vultures into the wild as part of Asia's first vulture re-introduction program.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asia's first vulture re-introduction programme launched in Haryana|date=3 June 2016 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/haryana/story/asias-first-vulture-re-introduction-programe-launched-in-haryana-12287-2016-06-03}}</ref> Small numbers of birds have bred across peninsular India, in [[Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/longbilled-vultures-sighted-after-40-years/article5322851.ece|title=Long-billed Vulture sighted after 40 years|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2013 |first=P. |last=Oppili|access-date = 11 August 2014}}</ref> Three more breeding centers have been setup in the Indian states of [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] in addition to four smaller facilities in collaboration with zoos.<ref name="Gu"/>

In 2020, the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] of Government of India has launched a Vulture Action Plan 2020-25. It aims to step up conservation measures and set up a mechanism to ensure that toxic drugs other than diclofenac are also banned for veterinary use.<ref name="Tri"/>

In 2010, a small population of Indian vulture and three other species of [[vulture]]s were discovered in the Moyar river valley in [[Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary]], where 20 nests were sighted with a population of 40 adults. It was last sighted in the region in the 1970s and the rediscovery is significant to its conservation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ramakrishnan |first1=B.|last2=Ramasubramanian|first2=S. |last3=Saravanan |first3=M. |last4=Arivazhagan|first4=C. |title=Is diclofenac the only culprit for declining population of ''Gyps'' vultures in the Moyar Valley |journal=Current Science|date=2010 |volume=99 |issue=12 |pages=1645–1646}}</ref>

==Cultural and economic significance==
[[File:Jatayu Earth Centre.jpg|thumb|[[Jatayu]] sculpture in India]]
Indian vultures are often misunderstood, feared and considered as lowly creatures largely due to their eating habits of feeding on [[carrion]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Waiting for the vulture|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/shashikumar-b-is-a-self-styled-vulture-specialist-who-helps-spread-awareness-on-the-need-to-conserve-vulture-species/article33439790.ece|date=28 October 2020|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> They play a key ecological role as a [[keystone species]] and serve as effective scavengers. In the [[Indian subcontinent]], where there is a large population of cattle and few facilities for incineration and carcass processing, vultures effectively clean up the carcasses offering health benefits and save economical costs.<ref>{{cite news|title='Vultures are often misunderstood; they play a key ecological role providing society with health benefits'|publisher=[[Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-interviews-blog/vultures-are-often-misunderstood-they-play-a-key-ecological-role-providing-society-with-health-benefits/|date=10 April 2020|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

[[Jatayu]] is a demigod in the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', who has the form of either an eagle or a vulture.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 June 2012|title=Jatayu, Jaṭāyu, Jatāyū: 19 definitions|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/jatayu|access-date=31 May 2022|website=www.wisdomlib.org|language=en}}</ref>

The people of [[Zoroastrianism|Parsi]] community in India leave the dead bodies exposed in high towers called [[Tower of Silence]] in order for the vultures to feed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jan/26/death-city-lack-vultures-threatens-mumbai-towers-of-silence|title=Death in the city: How a lack of vultures threatens Mumbai's 'Towers of Silence'|date=26 January 2015|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Gyps indicus}}
{{Wikispecies|Gyps indicus}}

{{Vulture}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q248086}}

[[Category:Gyps|Indian vulture]]
[[Category:Birds of prey of Asia]]
[[Category:Birds of India|Indian vulture]]
[[Category:Birds of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Birds of Nepal]]
[[Category:Critically endangered fauna of Asia|Indian vulture]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1786|Indian vulture]]
[[Category:Aviculture]]

Indian vulture - Revision history

Stuee.Singh at 03:56, 19 February 2026