Slender-Billed Vulture

Gyps tenuirostris

The slender-billed vulture, Gyps tenuirostris, is a large Old World vulture of the northern Indian subcontinent and parts of mainland Southeast Asia. It was once grouped with related Gyps vultures but is recognized by its long narrow bill, dark bare head and neck, pale ruff and broad soaring wings. Like other vultures in this group, it finds carcasses in open country, riverine areas and agricultural landscapes, and in many areas it nests in tall trees rather than on cliffs.

This is a critically endangered species, so human work centers on recovery rather than ownership. The main historic crash was linked to veterinary diclofenac and other unsafe anti-inflammatory drugs in livestock carcasses, which can kill vultures through kidney failure. Conservation programs use vulture-safe zones, pharmacy monitoring, safe carcass supplies, nest surveys and captive-breeding centers. Birds in rescue or zoo care need quiet spacious aviaries, social management, safe carcass diets and screening for poisoning, trauma and infectious disease before any release planning.