Hooded Vultures are small vultures about 26 inches long.
Females are larger than males.
They are dark brown, have rather short, rounded tails and thin, weak beaks. The bare skin on their faces is reddish pink but may become bluish when the birds are excited. They have weak feet that are adapted for walking and running, not for clutching. Their wings are long and the birds can soar for long periods. They range widely in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.