The Jackass Vulture may lack the grace of an eagle or the song of a lark. It has a face like crumpled leather and a laugh like a barnyard animal. Yet, it is the unsung hero of the African ecosystem. It is a bird of immense power, crucial ecological function, and surprising character. The next time you see one in a documentary or a photograph, look past the "ugliness"—you are looking at the king of the cleanup crew.
Despite its grumpy demeanor and messy eating habits, the Jackass Vulture is an ecological savior. As scavengers, they are Africa’s sanitation crew. By stripping a carcass to the bone within hours, they prevent the spread of deadly diseases such as anthrax, botulism, and cholera. jackass vulture