The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), is the smallest vulture. It is also called the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh's chicken, and has a very lengthy association with men – drawings of it have been found inside the tombs of Egypt. This white and black raptor, with naked yellow face and an untidy feather mane cascading from the head and neck, is the only member of the genus Neophron. The Egyptian Vulture is one of the species that are known to use tools. It uses small rocks to crack thick-shelled ostrich eggs by lifting a stone with its beak and hitting the egg in a strong swing of head and neck. Egyptian Vultures are quite widely distributed and may be found in southern Europe, in northern Africa, and in western and southern Asia.
