Whitebacked vulture food scouts

The dead tree is as useful in the bushveld as the organ donor in human society. Long after death body parts still serve a purpose in the lives of others, albeit as a pavilion for tracking dinner opportunities.

No contracts are signed here, simply remaining present delivers value. Depending on the species, such a dead tree may stay standing through many bird lifetimes. Trees like leadwood are known as skeleton landmarks for generations.

The birds, thought to be whitebacked vultures, are the most abundant of all vultures in the northern parts of South Africa, living in savanna and bushveld. They are gregarious, especially when breeding, but a recent kill in the veld might bring about meetings among individuals that have not seen each other ever or not for a long time.

These vultures will follow lion, hyena or other vultures, all promising leads for finding food, similar to detectives that tail those likely to reveal secrets.

On arrival, whitebacked vultures tend to put on an aggressive show for convincing manageable competitors at the dinner table to make way. Afterwards they may linger at the site of their meal; flying high on a full stomach is not for the wise (Maclean, 1993).