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Gyps fulvus (Hablizl, 1783) |
The Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It has the most subspecies of any vulture[citation needed]. The Griffon is 95-110 cm (37-43 in) long with a 230-265 cm (91-105 in) wingspan, and it weights between 6 and 13 kg (13.2 and 29 lbs). It is a typical vulture in appearance, with a white bald head, very broad wings and a short tail. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks. It grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion. The Griffon breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, north Africa, and Asia, laying one egg. Griffons may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident
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