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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 ~10% in a week ~30%
359 Verified sightings at Kruger National Park From 2019 to 2026
700 In all 4 parks
May 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 Kruger 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 Kruger National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Griffon in Kruger National Park?
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon sighting in Kruger National Park on a given day, based on 359 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 224th most-seen of the 464 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Cape Griffon in Kruger National Park?
May, July and December
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Griffon in Kruger National Park on a given day, against under 5% in January–April, June and August–November, the lowest months.
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 Kruger National Park the best place to see a Cape Griffon?
4th of 4
Of the 4 parks where we can rate Cape Griffon sightings, Kruger National Park ranks 4th at under 5%. The best odds are in Golden Gate Highlands National Park (South Africa, about 40%), De Hoop Nature Reserve (South Africa, about 30%) and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (South Africa, about 10%).
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 Kruger National Park (359 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.
