Completed
Cape Griffon
Gyps coprotheres
Silhouette: Shyamal · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAccipitriformes (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and Allies)
- FamilyAccipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
- GenusGyps (Griffon Vultures)
- SpeciesGyps coprotheres (Cape Griffon)
In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%
69 Verified sightings at Golden Gate Highlands National Park From 2019 to 2026
700 In all 4 parks
September Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Cape Griffon
The Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres), also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to southern Africa, and lives mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and in some parts of northern Namibia. It nests on cliffs and lays one egg per year. In 2015, it had been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but was down-listed to Vulnerable in 2021 as some populations increased and have been stable since about 2016.
This large vulture is of a creamy-buff colour, with contrasting dark flight and tail feathers. The adult is paler than the juvenile, and its underwing coverts can appear almost white at a distance. The head and neck are near-naked. The eyes are yellowish, and the bill is black. Juveniles and immatures are generally darker and more streaked, with brown to orange eyes and red necks. It closely resembles the white-backed vulture, however it is larger and has yellow irises.
The average length of adult vultures is about 96–115 cm (38–45 in) with a wingspan of 2.26–2.6 m (7 ft 5 in – 8 ft 6 in) and a body weight of 7–11 kg (15–24 lb). The two prominent bare skin patches at the base of the neck... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | De Hoop Nature Reserve | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Zoos & Centres Where Found
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaliningrad Zoo | 🇷🇺 Russia | |
| 2 | Beijing Wildlife Park | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 3 | Living Desert Zoo and Gardens | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Cheyenne Mountain Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Yerevan Zoo | 🇦🇲 Armenia | |
| 6 | ABQ BioPark: Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Fort Worth Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Crocworld Conservation Centre | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 9 | Dullstroom Bird Of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 10 | Dierenpark Zie-ZOO | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | |
| 11 | World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 12 | St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 13 | Umgeni River Bird Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 14 | Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 15 | Cango Wildlife Ranch | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 16 | Gauntlet Birds of Prey | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 17 | Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Closest Relatives at Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
Likely
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon sighting in Golden Gate Highlands National Park on a given day, based on 69 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 23rd most-seen of the 108 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
September
In that month about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon in Golden Gate Highlands National Park on a given day, against about 30% in April–May, July and November, the lowest months. That is one of Golden Gate Highlands National Park's driest months, with about 30 mm of rain against 130 mm in January. March has too few records to rate.
What time of day is best to see a Cape Griffon?
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Cape Griffon sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Golden Gate Highlands National Park the best place to see a Cape Griffon?
Yes
Of the 4 parks where we can rate Cape Griffon sightings, Golden Gate Highlands National Park has the highest daily chance: about 40%. Next come De Hoop Nature Reserve (South Africa, about 30%) and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (South Africa, about 10%).
Which relatives of the Cape Griffon live in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
Same family: Accipitridae
The closest relatives of the Cape Griffon that you can see in Golden Gate Highlands National Park (family Accipitridae, Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) are Jackal Buzzard (about 60%), Bearded Vulture (about 30%) and Verreaux's Eagle (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
Where does the Cape Griffon sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Cape Griffon is recorded against all the birds logged in Golden Gate Highlands National Park (69 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
