Their wings are long and the birds can soar for long periods. They range widely in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. They are common through settled parts of Uganda and less common in Kenya and Tanzania. Their habitats include open plains, savannas, forests, coastal areas and villages. Only Hooded Vultures are common in forested regions, where they depend on the presence of human beings.
Hooded vultures are silent birds.
Vultures detect dead animals by sight and by the movements of other vultures and carrion eating birds. They sometimes gorge so heavily that they can scarcely fly. Hooded Vultures are scavengers that consume food from a variety of sources. Because of its relatively small size and weak bill it generally waits its turn at a carcass to pick up minor scraps left behind by other vultures. In towns or cities they search for food in refuse dumps and gutters.