Eurasian Griffon Vulture Facts
- This physically imposing creation of Nature and evolution typically goes by the informative common name of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture. This amazing avian also holds at least one other, less often used general title, though. That’s the similar moniker of griffon vulture.
- Among scientists and related professionals, though, the animal typically goes by its technical designtion. Thankfully, that epithet remains much simpler for the layperson to pronounce than most such appellations. That’s because it has the short and simple tag Gyps fulvus.
- The animal received that appellation due to the efforts of Carl Ludwig von Hablitz. Though primarily a botanist, the respected Russian scientist recorded the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that scientifically noteworthy feat in 1783.
- Fortunately, the amazing Eurasian Griffon Vulture seems to still be managing a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That also appears to hold true across the entirety of its range. The IUCN therefore currently lists the bird as Least Concern on its published Red List.
- The biological wonder nevertheless still faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Most of these dangers stem from the actions of mankind. It’s frequently endangered by poison traps set out by humans. Yet, it also faces the perils posed by ongoing climate change.
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Eurasian Griffon Vulture Physical Description
The remarkable Eurasian Vulture Griffon quickly captures the attention of those individuals fortunate enough to encounter one. Though few consider it beautiful, it nevertheless has its own brand of interest. All species on earth have their place and attractions if one views them properly.
This particular member of its specific Family stands out from many of those numerous relatives for several reasons. For one, it boasts several subspecies itself. The sheer size of the bird also qualifies as one of those. While not the largest of them all, it’s still above-average in this specific regard.
It distinguishes itself from its kindred in this respect in yet another manner. That’s the fact that it displays an uncommon type of the physiological characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. This holds true since the intriguing animal shows gender-based differences in several categories.
Overall, individuals of the winged wonder attain a length equaling roughly 37 – 48 in (93 – 122 cm). Wingspan also varies, ranging from between 7.5 – 9.2 ft (2.3 – 2.8 m). Females do tend to reach slightly greater measurements in both these regards than their male counterparts, however.
Weights for the impressive animal, though, remain quite similar. Females average about 14.3 – 23 lb (6.5 – 10.5 kg). The males of the impressive avian, though, attain a mean weight ranging from approximately 13.7 – 23 lb (6.2 – 10.5 kg). Exceptional individuals occur, however, regardless of sex.
But the Eurasian Griffon Vulture also displays its gender-based differences in yet another way. It’s a bit of an unusual one, though. The males of the species typically possess both noticeably larger heads and longer bills. This does make distinguishing the genders slightly easier for the observer.
In terms of color, the interesting creature presents a truly striking image. The majority of the bird’s body shows either a light brown or tan shade. Its wings, however, present sharply darker brown hues. The large animal also manifests an off-white head, along with notably dark brown tail feathers.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Gyps
- Species: G. fulvus
Eurasian Griffon Vulture Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The impressive Eurasian Griffon Vulture evolved as native to a moderately broad swathe of the surface of the earth. The exact region its zone of habitation, however, is clearly indicated by its very name. That’s true since the spectacular avian inhabits certain parts of both Europe and Asia.
Within its European range, though, its presence remains restricted mainly to those countries that abut the Mediterannean Sea. This area includes countries such as Greece and Cyprus. From there, however, the bird extends its range throughout Arabia and Turkey, and into central Asia.
Nature and evolution provided this particular species of vulture with a moderate degree of adaptability in terms of its choice of habitat. This flexibility serves to provide it with an evolutionary advantage that some of its kindred lack. It’s adapted to a range of ecosystems across its native range.
In parts of its indigenous territory, the creature resides relatively close to sea level. Yet, in other sections where the animal appears, it occasionally live at altitudes of up to 5,905 ft (1,800 m). On average, though, the creature typically builds its nests at heights roughly in the middle of these.
But, regardless of the altitude at which it chooses to make its home, the bird displays decidedly strong preferences regarding the type of ecosystem. This principally consists of regions of either open shrub and grasslands, or cliffs and rocky slopes. Few individuals live outside of such areas.
Like its relatives around the world, the Eurasian Griffon Vulture developed as a carnivore. Just like them, it also mainly feeds as a scavenger, consuming the flesh of carcasses it finds while soaring high. It’s also highly opportunistic in nature, showing no preference for type or size of animal.
The animal sometimes lives alone, but often forms loose colonies. It typically breeds on rocky cliff faces, where it places its nest for safety. Females generally lay a single egg, which takes about two months to hatch. An average lifespan in the wild currently remains unknown to ornithologists.
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