Using satellite imagery to map potential colonies of Rüppell's vultures (Gyps rueppelli) in Central and East Africa

We used Google Earth imagery to remotely map 263 potential and confirmed breeding colonies of the Critically Endangered Rüppell's Vulture in seven countries of East and Central Africa. The main aggregations were found in: central and east‐central Chad and west and north Darfur in Sudan; south Kordofan state in Sudan; east Sudan and western Eritrea; and southern and southeastern South Sudan. This is the first study to use satellite data to map the breeding distribution of a bird of prey in a large part of its global range. The survey provides guidance for future field research that could seek to verify and monitor the status of these important breeding colonies for a Critically Endangered species.