It’s almost noble.
When it comes to clothing, a lappet is a fancy fold. It's often seen as a drape in a scarf or head covering.
Check out the folds of skin on the head of this large scavenger. Now you know why it is called a Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos). Fancy-schmancy!
This is Africa's largest vulture. The wingspan of a fully-grown individual can reach 8 or 9 feet!
Unfortunately, this member of the clean up crew is also endangered. Habitat destruction, nest destruction, and pesticide ingestion are problematic. One estimate suggests only 6,500 of these (almost) noble birds survive today. That's a problem.
See a Lappet-faced vulture for yourself. Safari with us in 2026.