The Griffon Vulture, scientifically known as Gyps fulvus, is a species of Old World vulture. This large bird of prey is found across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. As an obligate scavenger, it relies on the availability of carrion.
Identifying the Griffon Vulture
Adult Griffon Vultures measure between 93 and 122 centimeters (37 to 48 inches) in length, with a wingspan that can reach 2.3 to 2.8 meters (7 feet 7 inches to 9 feet 2 inches). Its plumage is primarily buff-colored on the body and wing coverts, contrasting with its dark flight feathers.
A characteristic white ruff encircles its neck, while its head and neck are covered in pale, downy feathers, appearing almost white. The bill is yellow, and the short tail feathers. Male and female Griffon Vultures are similar in size, weighing between 6.2 and 10.5 kilograms (14 to 23 pounds).
Where They Live and Thrive
The Griffon Vulture is found across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, extending to the Himalayan region. These vultures prefer mountainous areas and rocky landscapes, using cliffs for nesting and roosting. Water erosion on these rock formations often creates caves, ledges, and protrusions for nesting.
From these nesting grounds, they forage over vast open plains, relying on air thermals and orographic uplift for their soaring flight. This allows them to cover extensive distances with minimal energy expenditure to find food. They avoid dense forests and urbanized areas.
Their Role as Scavengers
Griffon Vultures are obligate scavengers. They locate carcasses by sight, soaring high to spot dead animals. When a carcass is found, multiple vultures often gather, feeding in groups with a pecking order.
These birds are adapted to irregular food availability and can endure fasting periods of up to two weeks. Griffon Vultures feed every three days. Their feeding behavior efficiently disposes of carcasses, preventing the spread of diseases and recycling nutrients within ecosystems.
Life in a Vulture Colony
Griffon Vultures are social birds that typically nest in colonies, often situated on inaccessible cliff faces. They form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which usually commences with egg-laying in early winter, around December to January. A single egg is laid per breeding cycle.
Parental care involves both adults incubating the egg and subsequently raising the chick through spring and early summer. The young vultures typically fledge, or take their first flight, around August. The preference for sheltered nesting locations, such as caves and potholes, has been observed to correlate with higher reproductive success, indicating the importance of secure sites within these communal breeding grounds.
Protecting the Griffon Vulture
The Griffon Vulture is currently classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. Despite this, the species has faced and continues to confront various threats across its range. Historically and presently, poisoning poses a significant danger, particularly from veterinary drugs like diclofenac, which can be lethal to vultures if they consume carcasses of treated livestock.
Habitat degradation and scarcity of food resources also impact populations. Conservation efforts often involve establishing supplementary feeding stations, which provide a reliable food source and contribute to population recovery. Reintroduction programs have been successful in certain areas, such as Bulgaria, where the population has steadily recovered over the last three decades, now numbering over 130 breeding pairs across five nuclei. Legal protections further support the conservation of this species.