Endangered Egyptian Vulture Nesting Recorded in King Salman Royal Reserve

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has reported nesting activities of the endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) within the reserve’s natural habitats. The Egyptian Vulture, a member of the diurnal birds of prey family, is globally classified as an endangered species.
 Within the reserve, the Egyptian Vulture is identified as a resident breeding species, a migratory passerby, and a rare winter visitor to the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR).
 The authority noted the species' extraordinary ability to detect prey from long distances and its capacity to travel up to 80 kilometers daily in search of food. The Egyptian Vulture thrives and breeds in open habitats, arid regions, and rocky cliffs, feeding primarily on carrion or weakened animals.
 The documented nesting activity is particularly significant due to the rarity of nesting occurrences for this endangered bird in northern Saudi Arabia. KSRNR also serves as a key stopover point for the species during its autumn and spring migrations, with over 25 individuals recorded during these seasons.
 The Egyptian Vulture measures approximately 62 cm in length, with a wingspan of up to 155 cm. It favors dry, remote areas with cliffs and rocky outcrops for breeding and relies on carrion as its primary food source. It also occasionally feeds at landfills, markets, animal enclosures, slaughterhouses, and farms.
 The authority highlighted that the Egyptian Vulture has experienced a dramatic global and regional population decline, losing approximately 90% of its population over the past 50 years in the Arabian Peninsula. The decline is attributed to factors such as poisoning, collisions with power lines, habitat loss, and human disturbances.