The disturbing vultureVulture
Genera and species: Gyps africanus
Collective Term: A coven of vultures
 

Description
Physically and socially, the vulture is a clumsy creature and its unusual features border on homeliness. Its somewhat bloated body is unusual for a creature of the air, since birds can't afford excess ballast when they're flying around. So, vultures are forced to soar at the mercy of the currents and wait for opportunities to present themselves, and unlike the smaller birds are unable to control their own destinies.

Don't make the mistake of underestimating the vulture though; for it's awkward outward appearance masks an intensely sharp mind capable of long range vision. With infinite patience, the vulture uses its keen senses to detect when the moment is ripe before swooping in and claiming its prize. Most people only encounter the vulture's devious mind when it's feeding at the carcass of their dreams.

Nope, the vulture is no angel and those wings on its back have no connection to the divine. For a vulture would look ridiculous wearing a halo while taping her friend's intimate conversations for the special prosecutor.

Vultures are not the most appetizing of creatures; and they know it too. They make an effort to be as attractive for their lover as possible and can be quite appealing when wearing their finest clothes and brightest smiles . . . for a while, at least. But even the vulture can't maintain this charade forever and the relationship quickly disintegrates when its true colors emerge. So the vulture prefers to maintain its distance and keep its relationships on a superficial level. This further adds to its reputation as a creature that swoops in, takes what it needs, and disappears.

With its free sprit and common aerial perspective on life, vultures are perfect partners for the free-flying eagle,  They are also attracted to the strength of prey animals like the lion, wolf and wild dogs, but these relationships are usually one-sided, for vultures have no qualms about usurping their  mate's resources without giving anything back. In a divorce, it'll greedily pick over the remains of the estate and is the first to arrive at the reading of the will, sometimes descending on the scene before the body is cold.

The vulture is a pushover for cheap flattery. It's not that it's blind to insincerity though -- it's simply delighted when someone shows enough interest to say something nice at all. And the sycophantic vulture will return the favor, gladly telling you what you want to hear. A happy friend is an easy mark.

 

Careers and Hobbies
Stockbroker                   Lawyer
Company director         Corporate raider

Hunting                          Gambling
Making money              Gossiping

Famous Vultures
Linda Tripp, Michael Milken, Charles Keating.