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| The '''Griffon Vulture''', ''Gyps fulvus'' is an ] in the family ], which also includes ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s. | The '''Griffon Vulture''', ''Gyps fulvus'' is an ] in the family ], which also includes ]s, ]s, ]s and ]s. | ||
| It breeds on crags in mountains in southern ], north ], and ], laying one egg. Griffons may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. | It breeds on crags in mountains in southern ], north ], and ], laying one egg. Griffons may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. Griffon Vultures have been ] sucessfully into the ] in ]. | ||
| Like other ]s it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead ]s which it finds by soaring over open areas. It often moves in flocks. | Like other ]s it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead ]s which it finds by soaring over open areas. It often moves in flocks. | ||
Revision as of 21:46, 19 February 2004
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| Gyps fulvus |
The Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.
It 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. Griffon Vultures have been re-introduced sucessfully into the Massif Central in France.
Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas. It often moves in flocks.
Griffon is a typical vulture, with a white bald head, very broad wings, short tail and a 2.5m wingspan. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers
This vulture grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion.