Namibia, blessed with great natural beauty and home to a unique diversity of flora and fauna, risks losing some of its most magnificent animals – our large birds of prey, especially those species that scavenge for food. Vultures and eagles are most threatened, but there are many ways in which they can be supported.

As birds of prey are usually seen flying, dividing the under-wing pattern into three parts, can assist with identification. Look at the primary feathers, the secondary feathers and the under-wing coverts. Look at the shape, length and pattern of the tail. Because birds of prey are meat eaters at the top of the food chain, their presence signals a healthy environment. They range from tiny, 60 gram falcons and owls to large eagles and vultures, weighing up to 11 kilogrammes.