Page "White-rumped Vulture" Paragraph 9

Allan Octavian Hume noted based on the observation of " hundreds of nests " that they always nested on large trees near habitations even when there were convenient cliffs in the vicinity.

The preferred nesting trees were Banyan, Peepul, Arjun, and Neem.

The main nesting period was November to March with eggs being laid mainly in January.

The male initially brings twigs which are arranged to form the nest by the female.

Courtship involves the male billing the head, back and neck of the female.

The female invites copulation and the male mounts and hold the head of the female in his bill.

Several pairs may nest in the vicinity of each other and isolated nests tend to be those of younger birds.

Solitary nests are never used regularly and are sometimes taken over by the Red-headed Vulture and large owls such as Bubo coromandus.

Nests are nearly 3 feet in diameter and half a foot in thickness.

Prior to laying an egg, the nest is lined with green leaves.

A single egg is laid which is white with a tinge of bluish-green.

Female birds are reported to destroy the nest on loss of an egg.

They are usually silent but make hissing and roaring sounds at the nest or when jostling for food.

The eggs hatch after about 30 to 35 days of incubation.

The young chick is covered in grey down.

The parents feed them with bits of meat from a carcase.

The young birds remain for about three months at the nest.