23-4-2024 BANDHAVGARH, INDIA - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey. It is a rare type of vulture eagle, with impressive size and up to a 3 m (118 in) wingspan, and is Europe’s second-largest bird. It can be seen majestically soaring on thermal currents searching for food in the warmer, rugged parts of countries that surround the Mediterranean.

The Griffon vulture has a distinguishing creamy-white ruff, matching the color of its head and neck. Its body and upper wings are pale brown, which contrasts beautifully with its other dark flight feathers and tail, the contrast being most noticeable in young birds, as their upper-wing feathers are particularly pale.

This species has a very large range, across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, from India to Portugal and Spain, most commonly found in countries that border the Mediterranean. The biggest population is in Spain, being more than three-quarters of the European population. These birds are mostly resident but juveniles and immature individuals may migrate far or embark on long-distance movements. Griffon vultures live in areas of mountains, plateaus, shrubland, grassland, and semi-desert, usually in warm climates, but also in harsher conditions of cold, rain, mist, and snow to secure particularly favorable breeding or foraging conditions. They tend to avoid forests, lakes, wetlands, and marine waters. Requiring high cliffs for roosting, they are found in a range of elevations.

26-9-2023 REVILLA, ARAGON - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. It may also be known as the Griffon vulture, though it may be used for the genus as a whole. It is not to be confused with the Rüppell's griffon vulture (Gyps rueppellii) and Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis). It is closely related to the white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).

The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7.5–9.2 ft) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a very white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.

 The Pyrenees population has apparently been affected by an EC ruling that due to danger of BSE transmission, no carcasses must be left on the fields for the time being. This has critically lowered food availability, and consequently, carrying capacity. Although the griffon vulture does not normally attack larger living prey, there are reports of Spanish griffon vultures killing weak, young or unhealthy living animals as they do not find enough carrion to eat. In May 2013, a 52-year-old woman who was hiking in the Pyrenees and had fallen off a cliff to her death was eaten by griffon vultures before rescue workers were able to recover her body, leaving only her clothes and a few of her bones. Due to her being the first human to be documented being eaten by griffon vultures, the story brought worldwide attention to the griffon vulture problems in Southern Europe.

22-8-2022 ATHENS ZOO, GREECE - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/5366-Gyps-fulvus

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. It may also be known as the Griffon vulture, though it may be used for the genus as a whole. It is not to be confused with the Rüppell's griffon vulture (Gyps rueppellii) and Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis). It is closely related to the white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).

The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7.5–9.2 ft) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a very white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.

Spain has the biggest colony of Griffon vultures in all Europe. It is located at Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park (Province of Segovia).

The Pyrenees population has apparently been affected by an EC ruling that due to danger of BSE transmission, no carcasses must be left on the fields for the time being. This has critically lowered food availability, and consequently, carrying capacity. Although the griffon vulture does not normally attack larger living prey, there are reports of Spanish griffon vultures killing weak, young or unhealthy living animals as they do not find enough carrion to eat. In May 2013, a 52-year-old woman who was hiking in the Pyrenees and had fallen off a cliff to her death was eaten by griffon vultures before rescue workers were able to recover her body, leaving only her clothes and a few of her bones. Due to her being the first human to be documented being eaten by griffon vultures, the story brought worldwide attention to the griffon vulture problems in Southern Europe.

The Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is a large Old World vulture, known for its impressive wingspan ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 meters. The males of the nominate race weigh between 6.2 and 10.5 kilograms, while females are approximately the same weight. The Indian subspecies, G. f. fulvescens, averages around 7.1 kilograms. These vultures are characterized by their white head, broad wings, and short tail feathers, with a distinctive white neck ruff and a yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts provide a stark contrast to their darker flight feathers.

When identifying the Eurasian griffon vulture, look for its large size, broad wings, and short tail. The white head and neck ruff, along with the yellow bill, are key features. In flight, the contrast between the buff-colored body and the dark flight feathers is quite noticeable.

These vultures are typically found in mountainous regions where they breed on crags and cliffs. They are also known to inhabit open areas where they can soar in search of carrion.

30-10-2017 BENIRRAMA, ALICANTE - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is a large Old World vulture, known for its impressive wingspan ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 meters. The males of the nominate race weigh between 6.2 and 10.5 kilograms, while females are approximately the same weight. The Indian subspecies, G. f. fulvescens, averages around 7.1 kilograms. These vultures are characterized by their white head, broad wings, and short tail feathers, with a distinctive white neck ruff and a yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts provide a stark contrast to their darker flight feathers.

When identifying the Eurasian griffon vulture, look for its large size, broad wings, and short tail. The white head and neck ruff, along with the yellow bill, are key features. In flight, the contrast between the buff-colored body and the dark flight feathers is quite noticeable.

These vultures are typically found in mountainous regions where they breed on crags and cliffs. They are also known to inhabit open areas where they can soar in search of carrion.

The Eurasian griffon vulture has a wide range that includes southern Europe, north Africa, and parts of Asia. Notable populations can be found in countries such as Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Israel, Greece, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Austria, Spain, France, Portugal, Armenia, and Russia.

Griffon vultures are social birds, often seen soaring in flocks. They are scavengers, primarily feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. These vultures are known to grunt and hiss at roosts or when feeding. They are mostly resident birds, with some populations forming loose colonies.

Eurasian griffon vultures breed on mountain crags, laying a single egg. They may form colonies, and the population is mostly resident throughout the year.

The Eurasian griffon vulture should not be confused with the Rüppell's griffon vulture (Gyps rueppellii) or the Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis). It is also closely related to the white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).

As scavengers, these vultures feed mostly on carrion, which they locate by soaring over open landscapes. They have been observed to increase their feeding rates when more food is available.

The Eurasian griffon vulture is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, the species has faced threats from the consumption of poisoned baits. Conservation efforts are focused on increasing awareness and reducing the use of illegal poisons.

1-5-2017 ALHAMBRA, GRANADA - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is a large Old World vulture, known for its impressive wingspan ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 meters. The males of the nominate race weigh between 6.2 and 10.5 kilograms, while females are approximately the same weight. The Indian subspecies, G. f. fulvescens, averages around 7.1 kilograms. These vultures are characterized by their white head, broad wings, and short tail feathers, with a distinctive white neck ruff and a yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts provide a stark contrast to their darker flight feathers.

When identifying the Eurasian griffon vulture, look for its large size, broad wings, and short tail. The white head and neck ruff, along with the yellow bill, are key features. In flight, the contrast between the buff-colored body and the dark flight feathers is quite noticeable.

These vultures are typically found in mountainous regions where they breed on crags and cliffs. They are also known to inhabit open areas where they can soar in search of carrion.

The Eurasian griffon vulture has a wide range that includes southern Europe, north Africa, and parts of Asia. Notable populations can be found in countries such as Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Israel, Greece, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Austria, Spain, France, Portugal, Armenia, and Russia.

Griffon vultures are social birds, often seen soaring in flocks. They are scavengers, primarily feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. These vultures are known to grunt and hiss at roosts or when feeding. They are mostly resident birds, with some populations forming loose colonies.

Eurasian griffon vultures breed on mountain crags, laying a single egg. They may form colonies, and the population is mostly resident throughout the year.

As scavengers, these vultures feed mostly on carrion, which they locate by soaring over open landscapes. They have been observed to increase their feeding rates when more food is available.

The Eurasian griffon vulture is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, the species has faced threats from the consumption of poisoned baits. Conservation efforts are focused on increasing awareness and reducing the use of illegal poisons.