Cryptogyps (SciiFii)

The Australian vulture (Cryptogyps lacertosus), also known as the outback vulture, is a species of vulture of the Old World vulture family that originally lived in Australia during the Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across Australia to help boost biodiversity. Despite being close in size to the very large wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), the Australian vulture is still unusually small for an aegypiine vulture, with only the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) being smaller. As with all other aegypiines, it is an active scavenger that flies great distance to find carrion to feed on. This provides a valuable ecological service by reducing disease transmission and facilitating energy flow. The Australian vulture primarily feeds upon dead or dying Australian megafauna, although dead or dying smaller fauna may be taken as well. Usually silent, but gives a shrill, sibilant whistle during copulation, and thin squealing calls both at nests and carcasses. It breeds in a stick nest in trees (often eucalyptus) in much of Australia, laying one egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident and sedentary, rarely moving more than 200 km. The maximum recorded lifespan of the Australian vulture is 44 years for an individual in captivity. The conservation status of the Australian vulture is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the Australian vulture's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.