daemon roundup: vultures
thank you so much to the anon who requested a vulture roundup — what a fantastic form, and a great opportunity to talk about the convergent evolution of the distinct old world and new world vultures. like the wolf roundup, i'm going to discuss vulture behavior overall, and then distinctions between species of accipitridae and cathartinae vultures. these will vary more than the wolf roundup, as they are distinct species versus biome-dictated subspecies of canis lupus.
the old world and new world vulture personality overall all types of vultures have converged biologically to make them excellent scavengers: their massive wings and lightweight bodies enable them to soar for long distances, their stomach acid is highly acidic for digesting putrid carcasses, and they have strong beaks for rending flesh or pulling at tissue. most old world and new world vultures are monogamous and raise their young with both parents contributing. species tend to be socially tolerant; smaller species are often more gregarious and larger species more independent, though there are many exceptions. all vultures feed on carrion: some exclusively, and some just minorly.
there are pronounced differences between old world and new world vultures in terms of physical traits and behaviors. old world vultures are more raptorial and closely related to eagles and hawks; they rely on keen eyesight to find carcasses, they have powerful feet for grasping, they build true nests, and they are capable of vocalizing beyond grunts and hisses. new world vultures are more comparable to storks; they use their incredible sense of smell to find carcasses, they have weak and flat feet for walking, they lay their eggs on bare surfaces in protected areas, and they lack a vocal box and communicate in guttural noises.
— observant and patient. vultures are experts at covering wide areas to search for prey with expending as little energy as possible; they're gliders, riding thermal currents in tight circles to achieve high elevation. at cruising altitude, both old world and new world vultures use their senses to identify prey: the old world vultures specialized to see distant carcasses across flat terrain, and new world vultures specialized to smell carcasses across highly forested or uneven terrain. someone with a vulture daemon is going to be highly perceptive and known for their enduring patience when it comes to their ambitions and interests. they do not rush things and are willing to weather storms. opportunities come to them; they don't feel the need to fight for their place, and they have a reputation for investing in opportunities others may have passed up.
— opportunistic and efficient. once they identify prey, vultures must operate in a highly competitive environment with predators and other scavengers where size is king. larger vultures typically have stronger beaks for breaking open the skin, while smaller vultures are specialized to consume soft tissue. vultures will gorge themselves until they're torpid and have earned their reputation for picking a corpse clean. vulture daemians are highly opportunistic but not necessarily openly ambitious. they prefer to work smarter, not harder, and would rather adapt and work with what they have than introduce unnecessary risk. once they have focused on a target, they are single-minded and efficient people who are prone to overindulgence.
— socially tolerant and cooperative. most vultures tend to be socially tolerant; some like the black vulture are intensely familial, while others like the bearded vulture are more solitary and situationally cooperative. vultures will often gather in large groups at a feeding site, allowing them to displace other larger birds. outside of feeding, vultures are also cooperative breeders and may roost in communal groups overnight or waiting for temperatures to rise so they can fly. while there is variability between species, a vulture daemian is typically socially tolerant; they may be loyal and group-oriented, or simply confident enough in themselves to be socially tolerant. in general, these people will be conflict-averse, relaxed, and resilient, and selectively boundary-keeping.
— close-bonding and routine-oriented. most vulture species are monogamous and demonstrate conspecific social behavior, including allopreening and extravagant courtship and incubation greeting displays. echoing their efficient nature, they also tend to have a reliance on the familiar if it's still serving them well. vulture daemians appreciate something that's predictable and reliable, but they may also be sentimental in their comforts as well. communication differs between species, but vultures as as whole tend to be more quiet and unobtrusive people, so they don't as readily wear their hearts on their sleeves.
the common thread in typing vulture daemians is high sensing, and i would lean towards Se-dominance. they are perceptive and deeply connected to their present environment, which makes them adaptable across changing circumstances. they're also efficient and proactive with their interests. i think the debate for Si comes from how vultures aren't necessarily thrill-seeking and would prefer to be habitual rather than expend unnecessary energy. SiTe and SiFe however both enjoy concrete systems and intentional goal-planning, which i think is a bit too rigid for the vulture. there are always exceptions, but in general the vulture seems like a good form for the xSxP, especially those with enneagram 9 placements.
i think this is going to be a bit long, so we'll be starting with the old world vultures and then will be the new world vultures!
bearded vulture, gypaetus barbatus the bearded vulture, also called the lammergeier or ossifrage, is a vulture with a wide mountainous range across africa and eurasia. they are only social during breeding season and otherwise are solitary and defend large territories. the bearded vulture is typically only found at high altitudes and rarely is seen below the tree line; their secluded elevated nests help deter human and animal predators. the bearded vulture is physically distinct for not having a bald head like most other vultures, and this is due to its highly specialized bone diet. an incredible 85-90% of these birds' diet is bone. larger bones are flown up high and then dropped — a skill that is honed across their lifetime. bearded vulture daemians are distinct from other vulture forms due to being more independent, confrontational, and assertive, as well as more specialized. bearded vultures are more protective over what's theirs and value strong boundaries and communication. they're more ambitious than other forms, similar to raptor daemians, though they still are patient, habitual, and relaxed. ultimately, bearded vultures are confident and ensure their needs will be met. in addition to the general vulture traits, bearded vulture daemians are going to be specialized, confident, assertive, tenacious, and aloof.
palm-nut vulture, gypohierax angolensis the palm-nut vulture is a large old world vulture species found in coastal sub-saharan africa, localizing with oil and raffia palms. as its name suggests, the palm-nut vulture is actually extraordinarily unique as it primarily feeds on palm fruits, as well as other fruits including dates and oranges, crabs and mollusks, small reptiles, and eggs. very rarely do they consume carrion! these birds are solitary foragers but they will roost in small groups and establish social hiearchy through vocal communication and mutual preening. like many vulture species, they're monogamous breeders, and they're quite defensive of their palm territories, which are essential for foraging and nest building. even among vulture daemians, the palm-nut vulture daemian is going to be a unique individual. they're less laidback than the average vulture daemian and tend to be cliquish in their devotion to their close bonds, and can come across as aloof or even defensive around strangers. their interests are varied; while generally easy-going, they aren't as patient as the average vulture daemian and value an element of stability rather. in addition to the general vulture traits, palm-nut vulture daemians are going to be close-bonding, curious, introverted, protective, and habitual.
egyptian vulture, neophron percnopterus the egyptian vulture is a smaller migratory vulture species with a wide range across northern africa, central asia, india, and southern europe, found in the mountains at lower altitudes than the bearded vulture. also called the pharaoh's chicken, these birds are distinctly white with a bald yellow face. they're a more solitary species, typically found alone or in a pair, and their small size means they're often the last to feed at a carcass. egyptian vultures scrounge for scraps and will even feed on feces; ingesting carotenoids from ungulate feces is what causes their bright yellow skin. they tend to be quiet and socially tolerant, roosting communally near foraging sites. egyptian vultures are unique for their tool use — a rare skill among vultures. they'll use stones to break open eggs and some egyptian vultures have even been observed using twigs to gather wool for lining their nests. the egyptian vulture daemian is a true scavenger, someone more unassuming and introverted and quite conflict-avoidant. these individuals are clever and inventive, and they do not put their pride in being ambitious. though cooperative and willing to have loose, even affectionate, bonds with others, they're very comfortable being on their own and are naturally private. they're willing to be curious and adventurous within their niche. in addition to the general vulture traits, egyptian vulture daemians are going to be introverted, tolerant, inventive, inquisitive, and unselective.
cinereous vulture, aegypius monachus the cinereous vulture is a massive species of vulture that lives in the hilly temperate regions of eurasia. they prefer remote areas and are specialized to breathe at high altitudes — incredibly, they have been sighted flying on mount everest at elevations up to 23,000 feet. they are an exceptionally solitary species for a vulture and only congregate for feeding, and even during breeding season their nests are delineated from one another. cinereous vultures will reuse and expand upon the same nest year after year. both parents are highly engaged in rearing the young and nesting success is exceptionally high. like most vultures, cinereous vultures primarily eat carrion, and due to their large size will bully other smaller vulture species away from their prey. the cinereous vulture daemian will bear resemblance to raptorial daemians: they are independent, confident, and even bold, though are much more habitual and even-tempered than other raptors. they are assertive within their niche, though their preference would be to be left alone to do their own thing. they're selectively cooperative and tolerant when others know how to respect their boundaries. they're single-minded and perfectionistic when they commit to a project. in addition to the general vulture traits, cinereous vulture daemians are going to be private, assertive, perfectionistic, dutiful, and resilient.
griffon vulture, gyps fulvus the griffon vulture, also called the eurasian griffon vulture and not to be confused with rüppell's griffon vulture, is a large vulture species found in the mountains of southern europe and northern africa and asia. they are a highly social vulture species: they forage, roost, and breed in colonies that can range between twenty to hundreds of individuals. griffon vultures are largely sedentary and prefer to stay around their breeding areas. their gregarious behavior necessitates a strict social hierarchy when feeding; griffon vultures tend to squabble and can become aggressive at feeding sites. these birds are called "gulpers" — vultures that use their long, slender necks to feed on the soft tissue of a carcass after it's already been opened. griffon vulture daemians are the quintessential large social vulture. these individuals are exceptionally social, though like the typical vulture they maintain their sense of individuality, and they're highly communicative with their conspecifics. griffon vulture daemians can be upfront and assertive, especially when it comes to their niche or pursuing their interests. they're more competitive than the average vulture and thrive in proactive social environments. in addition to the general vulture traits, griffon vulture daemians are going to be gregarious, competitive, habitual, corner-cutting, and driven.
white-rumped vulture, gyps bengalensis the white-rumped vulture is a critically endangered vulture native to south asia. they are closely related to the griffon vulture — they're much smaller, but similarly social, consume principally carrion, and can be assertive at feeding sites. as a smaller species, white-rumped vultures have also adapted to feed off of bone. they prefer roosting in trees over crags like the griffon vulture and many other species; their roosting locations will centralize around water availability, and they don't migrate like some other species. they are voracious eaters and can strip a carcass in minutes. it's not uncommon to see hundreds of birds flock to a carcass; white-rumped vultures have a pecking order, often chased off by larger birds such as the lappet-faced vulture. they're generally silent except during feeding and breeding. the white-rumped vulture daemian is going to be a more social individual, quite similar to the griffon vulture in exhibiting gregarious behavior, being comfortable in crowds, and very communicative with friends. these people are cooperative while also keenly aware of their own needs. they tend to be more bark than bite; at the end of the day, they're still going to be largely conflict-avoidant and view that as more trouble than it's worth. they're clever and inventive thinkers, willing to adapt and branch out with the comfort of social backup. in addition to the general vulture traits, white-rumped vulture daemians are going to be communal, communicative, driven, scrappy, and inventive.
rüppell's vulture, gyps rueppelli the rüppell's vulture is a large vulture species native to sahel and east africa, though it's native range is shrinking due to habitat loss. they are the highest-flying bird, recorded at altitudes up to 37,000 feet. similar to the cinereous vulture, rüppell's vultures are adapted to tolerate low oxygen at high elevations and extreme temperature ranges between high altitude and the african heat. like other vulture species, they are gliders, and will follow herds on their seasonal migrations during the dry seasons. they nest communally in cliffs and will raise only one chick due to their large foraging range consuming most of their energy, especially if the cliff faces where they roost are not near feeding sites. the rüppell's vulture daemian is going to be a fairly specialized type, though also someone who finds comfort and routine in being in a group. they are still highly opportunistic but also more dogged and resilient in the face of adversity. they're careful with their energy and can have a perfectionistic streak, but like most vultures are prone to indulgence and single-mindedness when they're focused on something. in addition to the general vulture traits, rüppell's vulture daemians are going to be gregarious, assertive, driven, perfectionistic, and straightforward. [ link to my previous rüppell's vulture vibe ]
indian vulture, gyps indicus the indian vulture once was found across southern asia, but today is restricted to india as well as nepal, bangladesh, and pakistan. they're often found near villages, dumps, and livestock slaughterhouses. their consumption of livestock is what's primarily responsible for their population decline; use of the NSAID diclofenac in sick cows caused widespread kidney failure in indian vultures who consumed the carcasses. indian vultures will travel far distances to scour for food and will fly in small groups. once a feeding site is located, they will gather in large, noisy flocks to feed. they're less aggressive than other species of vultures, even compared to other smaller species like the egyptian vulture. the indian vulture daemian is going to be a socially tolerant person, comfortable in groups and overall agreeable, but can still be individualistic. they are cooperative and prefer teamwork when achieving their goals, and champion efficiency to find the shortest route to what they want. they will be more private unless pushed, and more comfortable communicating in familiar settings. in addition to the general vulture traits, indian vulture daemians are going to be communal, tolerant, perceptive, corner-cutting, and enduring.
himalayan vulture, gyps himalayensis the himalayan vulture is a very large species native to the himalayas and indian foothills, typically not seen below elevations of 4,000 feet. they are somewhat social birds, and their large size makes them quite tolerant towards smaller vulture species and corvids who they can easily intimidate, and they have even been observed nesting tolerably alongside bearded vultures. they are however defensive feeders and will readily chase foxes and other mammals from carcasses. they have a restricted diet of only carrion, primarily deceased yaks, and will follow herd animals up the mountain to search for carcasses. often their nests are clearly separated from others and they tend to forage solitarily or in pairs. the himalayan vulture daemian is someone who is incredibly confident and persevering in their niche. they are cooperative and easygoing in groups, which may mask how private these individuals actually are. though they are conflict-avoidant, they don't shy away from being assertive when challenged. hierarchical and perceptive, a himalayan vulture individual prides themselves on acting most efficiently, and not becoming distracted with something not worth their time. they are ambitious in that regard, and seek to maximize their energy. in addition to the general vulture traits, himalayan vulture daemians are going to be easy-going, persevering, commanding, ambitious, and specialized.
white-backed vulture, gyps africanus the white-backed vulture is the most widespread and common vulture in africa. it's medium sized and nests in trees, typically acacia or kapok, among other white-backed vultures in a loose colony. they are highly gregarious at feeding sites, using both their keen eyesight and social information from their conspecifics to find carcasses. they feed almost entirely on remains of large ungulates. their pointed beaks employ a pulling strategy to feeding; though they're often the first birds to arrive at a carcass, they aren't adapted to ripping through skin. white-backed vultures feed cooperatively, holding down the carcass while others pull at flesh. the white-backed vulture daemian is a gregarious and communal individual, highly cooperative and easy to get along with. they have a "if you scratch my back, i'll scratch yours" philosophy to life, and enjoy the confidence that comes with being around like-minded people. they can be energetic and expressive in their group, but like most vultures they also tend to be private and unobtrusive in much of their life. white-backed vultures are notably very proactive and good at taking advantage of situations. like other single-egg laying species, they may be more perfectionistic and focused in their energy. in addition to the general vulture traits, white-backed vulture daemians are going to be cooperative, expressive, empathetic, resourceful, and conflict-averse.
hooded vulture, necrosyrtes monachus the hooded vulture is native to sub-saharan africa, where it occupies small home ranges in the savanna and near agricultural areas. it's one of the smaller vulture species, and in addition to carrion, they are also voracious eaters of insects. hooded vultures are loosely-bonding but still social birds; while often solitary, they will also congregate in large tolerant flocks at feeding sites and use communal roosting to identify new feeding sites. they are monogamous and reuse the same nest every year; like many vulture species, they are highly selective with tree selection and are territorial over breeding area. as hooded vultures are small-ranged and sedentary, they are more territorially defensive. the hooded vulture daemian is a scrappy individual: intuitive, opportunistic, corner-cutting, and likely relates to being ambiverted. they are sociable and comfortable with others, but they value their individuality and sense of self, and they are good at looking out for themselves. they come across as unobtrusive people and genuinely they prefer to be conflict-avoidant and keep to themselves. hooded vultures are generalists: adaptable and don't tend to be selective, so long as what lands in their lap makes them feel fulfilled. in addition to the general vulture traits, hooded vulture daemians are going to be unobtrusive, ambiverted, habitual, uncritical, and scrappy.
red-headed vulture, sarcogyps calvus the red-headed vulture is primarily found in india in open semi-desert areas. like the indian vulture, the red-headed vulture's population was detrimentally affected by diclofenac poisoning. red-headed vultures are exceptionally solitary, even during feeding. they're highly territorial at carcasses and will readily act aggressive towards conspecifics. despite this, they're out-competed at carcasses by larger vultures in the gyps genus such as the indian vulture and its two close relatives, the white-rumped and slender-billed vulture. red-headed vultures will often feed on smaller, ignored carcasses instead, such as those of rodents. after feeding, red-headed vultures quickly withdraw, as compared to more social vulture species that linger after feeding. the red-headed vulture daemian is a true introvert and private individual. like general vulture species, they are close-bonding to their chosen few, but they are uncomfortable in groups and can be aloof or abrasive with strangers. these people are most comfortable in their own space, and though they're protective over what's theirs, they're not as confident as they seem and would prefer to avoid confrontation. they're competitive but not outwardly ambitious, and would prefer to not have that notoriety. in addition to the general vulture traits, red-headed vulture daemians are going to be independent, perceptive, blunt, unobtrusive, and inventive.
lappet-faced vulture, torgos tracheliotos the lappet-faced vulture is a very large species found in open country land in sub-saharan africa. they are aggressive scavengers who dominate carcasses, rending open flesh with their large beaks. they also flock to carcasses when other vultures are done to feed on remnants that other species will not eat, and they have been known to take live prey as well, particularly to feed their young. outside of breeding, lappet-faced vultures are largely solitary, though they frequently rely on congregations of other vultures to help them find feeding sites, then will bully other scavengers away. the lappet-faced vulture is large and aggressive enough to intimidate even jackals. like many species, they tend to be monogamous and will reuse their nesting sites. the lappet-faced vulture daemian is an exceptionally assertive individual for a vulture. they are confident people who don't shy away from confrontation like many other vultures, and they're also quite comfortable being independent as well. these daemians may closely resemble raptor daemians, though tend to be less hardworking and more enduring, as well as more socially intuitive. in addition to the general vulture traits, lappet-faced vulture daemians are going to be independent, assertive, ambitious, shrewd, and perceptive.
white-headed vulture, trigonoceps occipitalis the white-headed vulture is a sub-saharan african species found in wide area woodlands where it can nest in acacia or baobab trees. white-headed vultures don't tend to disperse and maintain the same territories across their lifespan, leading to areas of patchy distribution. they're also highly solitary, the most independent of vulture species. they're seen in pairs during breeding season, but otherwise do not associate with flocks and do not build communal nest sites. at feeding sites, white-headed vultures typically arrive first and gorge themselves, then leave when larger or more social vultures appear — though they will absolutely engage in aggressive behavior. they will also hunt small prey themselves or engage in pirating from larger raptors, such as flying at one to startle them into dropping their prey. white-headed vultures fly lower and will start foraging earlier in the morning compared to other species. the white-headed vulture daemian is a confident and independent individual, as well as fairly goal-oriented and forethinking of the vulture types. they may have an aloof or abrasive reputation; they're deeply introverted, and don't readily branch out socially. they're ambitious and don't readily seek dramatics, but will not hesitate to go after what they want. in addition to the general vulture traits, white-faced vulture daemians are going to be independent, assertive, ambitious, strategic, and private.
