Griffon Vulture
(Gyps fulvus)
Size:
95-110 cm
Weight:
6-11 kg
Wingspan:
240-280 cm
Life expectancy:
up to 37 years in captivity
Description: Whitish head, neck and collar; dark centres to greater upperwing-coverts. Juvenil has brown collar and darker back than adult.
Habitat: Expansive open areas; wide range of habitats, including mountains, plateaux, steppe and even semi-desert, with abrupt rocky areas such as crags and canyons for nesting
Food and Feeding: Exclusively, or almost exclusively, carrion; feeds mainly on muscles and viscera of medium-sized and large mammals (sheep, goats, cows, horses), especially ungulates (carnivores, rabbits).
Breeding: Laying Dec-Mar or later; Nests on crag or cliff, preferring protected ledge or small cave; 1 egg; incubation 50-58 days; fledging 110-130 days.
Status and Conservation: Not globally threatened, CITES II. Widespread decline in most of 20th century in Europe, N Africa and Middle East, mainly due to poisoned baits set for carnivores, direct persecution, and in some areas reduction in available food supplies. Spectacular recent recoveries in places: notably in Spain, in French Pyrenees, in the Balkan Regions (Greece, Coratia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.
Distribution: