Name
Gyps fulvus
Griffon vulture
Framing
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Gyps
Species: fulvus
Habitat
Terrestrial. Near cliffs and cliffs, where it breeds, in open forest areas, plains with river cuttings and mountains.
Feeding
It is a purely carrion-eating species, specialising in the consumption of large ungulates, both wild and - at least in our territory - domestic, which is why it is closely linked to human grazing activities. Nowadays, it also frequently frequents rubbish dumps, where it obtains abundant remains.
Distribution
Europe, Asia and North Africa
Conservation status
It does not currently meet the criteria to be assigned to any category of threat, but appears on the List of Wildlife Species under Special Protection Regime.
Additional information
Large pale-coloured vulture with a white down-covered head and neck. The griffon vulture is an immense and unmistakable bird of prey, with excellent adaptations for the detection and consumption of large carrion. With a wingspan of more than 2.5 metres and a weight of 6-9 kg, this scavenger is one of the largest birds in Europe and also one of the longest-lived. There is hardly any sexual dimorphism - apart from subtle differences hardly noticeable in the field - in terms of size and design. Adult birds have a general greyish-brown colouring, with somewhat paler dorsal regions, in contrast to the dark remiges, while the ventral regions are brownish and may be subtly striped with a lighter shade.
Additional information
Bibliography
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