| Himalayan Griffon Vulture | ||||||||||||||
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| Gyps himalayensis Hume, 1869 |
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus.
Adults are 103-110 cm (41-43 inches) long, have a wingspan of 260-289 cm (102-114 inches) across the wings and weigh 8-12 kg (18-26.4 lbs). They are the second largest Old World vulture, behind only the Cinereous Vulture in size.
It breeds on crags in mountains in the Himalayas and Tibet, laying a single egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident.
Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of animals, which it finds by soaring over open areas and mountains. These birds often move in flocks.
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald white head, very broad wings, and short tail feathers. It is even larger than the European Griffon Vulture. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The whitish body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.
This vulture grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gyps himalayensis |
- BirdLife International (2004). Gyps himalayensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
- Himalayan Griffon Vulture videos. The Internet Bird Collection
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