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Revision as of 20:32, 9 March 2003 by Jimfbleak (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Griffon vulture | ||||||||||||||
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| Gyps fulvus |
The Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, 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.
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.