Palm-nut Vulture

The Palm-nut Vulture is an atypical member of the vulture family, both in appearance and diet, found along coasts, rivers, and wetlands of West and Central Africa, especially where oil palms grow. Unlike most vultures, its body plumage is predominantly white, giving it a superficially eagle-like look rather than the drab brown or black tones typical of other vultures.

Its flight feathers are black, and the tail shows a black band or black outer portion contrasting with the otherwise pale plumage, creating a distinctive pattern in flight.

Because its feathers combine white body plumage with black wings and tail in a pattern reminiscent of certain eagles, it is one of the more visually unusual vultures to identify.

Shape and Size

Wings are broad and rounded, and the tail is of moderate length with a squared tip, generally similar in proportion to other medium-sized raptors.

Color and Pattern

• Body and most covert feathers: white
• Flight feathers: black, sharply contrasting with the white body
• Tail feathers: white with a black band or black outer section
• Shafts: pale on white feathers, dark on black ones

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The mostly white body combined with black flight feathers can suggest a fish eagle at first glance, but the black-and-white tail pattern and smaller size compared to true fish eagles, along with its coastal palm-grove habitat, help confirm this species.

Adults are largely white with black flight feathers and a black-marked tail; sexes look alike. Juveniles are largely brown, gradually acquiring the white adult plumage over a few years.

Molt proceeds gradually, tracking the multi-year transition from brown juvenile to white adult plumage.

Found along coasts, rivers, and wetlands of West and Central Africa, strongly associated with oil palm groves, whose fruit forms an important part of its diet, an unusual food source among vultures.

Most populations are resident, with limited local movement tied to food availability.

Feeds heavily on the fruit of oil palms, along with crabs, mollusks, small vertebrates, and some carrion, giving it a broader and more unusual diet than most vultures. Often perches conspicuously in palm trees.

Nests in tall trees, including palms, near water. Calls include harsh cackling notes.

A white feather with black flight or tail-feather portions, found near coastal wetlands or oil palm groves in West or Central Africa, points to this species.