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The Vultures of Africa
This book is intended for all bird enthusiasts, conservationists and ornithologists, the informed reader and the collector of fine works of Africana.
460 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 1993
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November 22, 2025
A massive tome detailing the biology, behavior, and ecology of all eleven species of vulture residing in Africa.
The first four chapters describe vultures in a global sense, their evolution (as it was known as the time), and Africa as vulture habitat. There are then extensive accounts dedicated to each vulture species, followed by generalized accounts of vulture behavior, breeding, and interactions with humans. All of this is written with authority of people who have spent years in the field observing the birds, without the pedantic myopia that haunts most ornithological writing, and the authors are usually careful to note when their observations don't jibe with those of others.
The book has a few drawbacks. The most obvious one is that just a few decades after the book was published, the rosy outlook envisioned for several then-common species seems unduly optimistic; as of 2025, almost all of Africa's vultures are considered endangered, some critically so. There are also occasional factual errors, mostly when the book ventures into discussion of non-African vultures; and it seems to me that the authors were sometimes too credulous in accepting the statements of dubious sources. Particularly the disgraced ornithologist and Trump-level charlatan Richard Meinertzhagen, who is uncritically quoted several times in the book.
Minor flaws aside, this book was and is a landmark achievement, and unquestionably one of the very best books ever published about vultures. Too bad it doesn't have more competition!
The first four chapters describe vultures in a global sense, their evolution (as it was known as the time), and Africa as vulture habitat. There are then extensive accounts dedicated to each vulture species, followed by generalized accounts of vulture behavior, breeding, and interactions with humans. All of this is written with authority of people who have spent years in the field observing the birds, without the pedantic myopia that haunts most ornithological writing, and the authors are usually careful to note when their observations don't jibe with those of others.
The book has a few drawbacks. The most obvious one is that just a few decades after the book was published, the rosy outlook envisioned for several then-common species seems unduly optimistic; as of 2025, almost all of Africa's vultures are considered endangered, some critically so. There are also occasional factual errors, mostly when the book ventures into discussion of non-African vultures; and it seems to me that the authors were sometimes too credulous in accepting the statements of dubious sources. Particularly the disgraced ornithologist and Trump-level charlatan Richard Meinertzhagen, who is uncritically quoted several times in the book.
Minor flaws aside, this book was and is a landmark achievement, and unquestionably one of the very best books ever published about vultures. Too bad it doesn't have more competition!
Displaying 1 of 1 review