Vultures [families Accipitridae and Cathartidae]
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The important point to note here is that, from a taxonomical point of view, the ‘African and Old World’ vultures are completely separated from the ‘New World’ Vultures, the former being in family Accipitridae and the latter in Cathartidae.
As previously mentioned, family Accipitridae within the order ACCIPITRIFORMES includes a number of subfamilies. There are currently 16 recognised extant species of ‘African and Old World’ vulture, many of which are now threatened. There are just three species, being the Palm-nut, Egyptian and Bearded, otherwise known as the Lammergeier, within subfamily Gypaetinae. The remaining 13 species are all within subfamily Gypinae.
The 7 species of ‘New World’ vulture within family Cathartidae are now being listed under a new order CATHARTIFORMES, albeit some authorities are still placing this family in ACCIPITRIFORMES.
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The important point to note here is that, from a taxonomical point of view, the ‘African and Old World’ vultures are completely separated from the ‘New World’ Vultures, the former being in family Accipitridae and the latter in Cathartidae.
As previously mentioned, family Accipitridae within the order ACCIPITRIFORMES includes a number of subfamilies. There are currently 16 recognised extant species of ‘African and Old World’ vulture, many of which are now threatened. There are just three species, being the Palm-nut, Egyptian and Bearded, otherwise known as the Lammergeier, within subfamily Gypaetinae. The remaining 13 species are all within subfamily Gypinae.
The 7 species of ‘New World’ vulture within family Cathartidae are now being listed under a new order CATHARTIFORMES, albeit some authorities are still placing this family in ACCIPITRIFORMES.
