Red-headed Vulture
Sarcogyps calvus

As per IUCN Redlist the global population of this vulture species ranges from 2500-9,999 mature individuals

Distribution

The red-headed vulture, once widespread and abundant across the Indian subcontinent and extending eastward through south-central and southeast Asia as far as Singapore, now has a much-restricted range, being largely confined to northern India. It typically inhabits open landscapes, including cultivated lands and semi-arid regions, but is also found in deciduous forests, foothills, and river valleys, occurring at elevations of up to 3,000 meters above sea level.

Threats

The Red-headed Vulture, listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, has suffered catastrophic declines, with only a few thousand mature individuals left in the wild. The primary threat is poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, which causes fatal kidney failure when vultures feed on contaminated livestock carcasses. Other toxic NSAIDs like aceclofenac and ketoprofen pose similar dangers. The species is also at risk from secondary poisoning, when vultures consume carcasses laced with pesticides or poisons meant for feral dogs and carnivores. Habitat loss, reduced food availability, nesting disturbance, electrocution, further add to its decline, demanding urgent conservation action. Click for more info 

Lifespan

Their lifespan ranges from 38-40 years in captivity; may vary in wild conditions.