Eurasian griffon vulture

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Eurasian griffon vulture
Gyps fulvus in flight - Spain.jpg
Flying griffon vulture photographed in Spain
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Gyps
Species:
G. fulvus
Binomial name
Gyps fulvus
(Hablizl, 1783) [2]
Subspecies [3]
  • G. f. fulvus - (Hablizl, 1783)
  • G. f. fulvescens - Hume, 1869
Gyps fulvus distribution map.png
Range of griffon vulture
Synonyms

Vultur fulvus

The Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. It is also known as the griffon vulture, [4] although this term is sometimes used for the genus as a whole. It is not to be confused with the Rüppell's vulture (Gyps rueppellii) and Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis). It is closely related to the white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).

Contents

Description

The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7 ft 7 in – 9 ft 2 in) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. [5] [6] Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a white head, broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.

Distribution and habitat

Eurasian griffon vulture in Catalonia Gyps Fulvus on a branch in Catalunya.jpg
Eurasian griffon vulture in Catalonia

In Italy, the Eurasian griffon vulture has survived only in the island of Sardinia, but there have been recent attempts to reintroduce it in the peninsula. As a result, several specimens were spotted in August 2006 on the Gran Sasso massif in central Italy. Populations in Italy are thought to be increasing thanks to reintroduction schemes in neighbouring countries and a ban on hunting it.

In Croatia, a Eurasian griffon vulture colony lives near the town of Beli on the island of Cres. [7] There they breed at low elevations, with some nests at 10 m (33 ft). Therefore, contact with people is common. The population makes frequent incursions in the Slovenian territory, especially in the mountain Stol above Kobarid. The bird is protected in an area called Kuntrep on the Croatian island of Krk. [8] In Ireland, the first record of a griffon vulture occurred in 1843 in Cork. [9] In 2000, a vulture took up residence on the Channel Island of Guernsey. [10]

Griffon vulture beside a white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), showing the difference in size and coloration between the two species Eurasian Griffon Vulture.jpg
Griffon vulture beside a white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), showing the difference in size and coloration between the two species

In Cyprus, there was a colony of fewer than 30 Eurasian griffon vultures at Episkopi, in the south of the island in 2006. [11]

Griffon vulture in Hai-Bar reserve mount Carmel nSHr myqrAy bKHybr krml zhv Aby rvb hnSHrym.jpg
Griffon vulture in Hai-Bar reserve mount Carmel

In Israel, Eurasian griffon vulture colonies are present in the north and the Golan Heights. A large colony breeds in the Carmel Mountains, the Negev desert and especially at Gamla. Reintroduction projects are being carried out at breeding centres in Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve and Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve.

In Greece, there are nearly 1000 Eurasian griffon vultures. The majority of this population resides in Crete, which hosts the largest insular population of the species in the world. [12] On Crete they inhabit mountainous areas, sometimes in groups of up to 20. [13]

Griffon vulture beside a cinereous vulture Cinereous Vulture and Eurasian Griffon (50862528446).jpg
Griffon vulture beside a cinereous vulture

Griffon vultures have been reintroduced successfully into the Massif Central in France; about 500 are now found there. Griffon vultures are regularly spotted over the Millau bridge, and since 2015 also in the Cantal Mountains.

In Serbia, there are around 60–65 pairs of Eurasian griffon vultures in the western parts of the country, around Zlatar mountain and also 35 birds in the canyon of the Trešnjica river. [19] They are under legal protection from hunting. [20]

Egyptian, cinereous and Eurasian griffon vultures in flight Eurasian Griffons Egyptian and Cinereous Vultures (50861823513).jpg
Egyptian, cinereous and Eurasian griffon vultures in flight

In Austria, there is a remnant population around Salzburg Zoo, and vagrants from the Balkans are often seen.In Spain and France, in 2008, there were 25,000 birds, from a low of a few thousand around 1980. Spain has the biggest colony of Griffon vultures in all Europe. It is located at Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park.

Eurasian griffon vultures eating the carcass of a red deer in the Pyrenees Buitres leonados (Gyps fulvus) 0.jpg
Eurasian griffon vultures eating the carcass of a red deer in the Pyrenees

In Portugal a few hundred pairs of griffons nest, but their distribution is strongly asymmetric. The main areas of reproduction are located in Douro International Natural Park, which is home to more than half of the Portuguese population. Though permanently resident in the interior of the country, the griffon vulture often ventures west when the breeding season is over and can occasionally reach the Tagus Estuary and Cape St. Vincent. [21] The Pyrenees population has apparently been affected by a European Commission ruling that due to danger of bovine spongiform encephalopathy transmission, no carcasses must be left on the fields for the time being. This has critically lowered food availability, and consequently, carrying capacity. Although the griffon vulture does not normally attack larger living prey, there are reports of Spanish griffon vultures killing weak, young or unhealthy living animals when they do not find enough carrion . [22] In May 2013, a 52-year-old woman who was hiking in the Pyrenees died after falling off a cliff. Eurasian griffon vultures devoured her corpse before rescue workers arrived and found only her clothes and a few bones.The story attracted attention to griffon vulture problems in Southern Europe. [23]

In Armenia there are 46-54 pairs according to last estimation of population; the trend demonstrates slight increasing. [24] In Russia, nests on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus.

Behaviour and ecology

Egg Gyps fulvus MWNH 0732.JPG
Egg

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 maximum recorded lifespan of the griffon vulture is 41.4 years for an individual in captivity. [25]

It breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, north Africa, and Asia, laying one egg. Griffon vultures may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. Density Dependence in this colonial species has been shown to affect annual reproductive success with eyries in protected location (caves, potholes and sheltered ledges) producing more fledglings, and used preferentially, than low-quality eyries (exposed ledges and open crevices), which were only used when the number of breeding individuals increased. [26]

Physiology

Griffon vulture in flight Gyps fulvus in flight.jpg
Griffon vulture in flight

Griffon vultures have been used as model organisms for the study of soaring and thermoregulation. The energy costs of level flight tend to be high, prompting alternatives to flapping in larger birds. Vultures in particular utilize more efficient flying methods such as soaring. Compared to other birds, which elevate their metabolic rate to upwards of 16 times their basal metabolic rate in flight, [27] soaring griffon vultures expend about 1.43 times their basal metabolic rate in flight. Griffon vultures are also efficient flyers in their ability to return to a resting heart rate after flight within ten minutes. [28]

As large scavengers, griffon vultures have not been observed to seek shelter for thermoregulation. Vultures use their bald heads as a means to thermoregulate in both extreme cold and hot temperatures. Changes in posture can increase bare skin exposure from 7% to 32%. This change allows for the more than doubling of convective heat loss in still air. [29] Griffon vultures have also been found to tolerate increased body temperatures as a response to high ambient temperatures. By allowing their internal body temperature to change independently of their metabolic rate, griffon vultures minimize their loss of water and energy in thermoregulating. [30] One study in particular (Bahat 1995) found that these adaptations have allowed the Griffon vulture to have one of the widest thermal neutral zones of any bird. [31]

Intraspecific competition

Griffon vultures have shown no age difference in their feeding rates. Feeding rates do tend to increase when more food is available. Studies connected with reintroduction of the vultures have found that older adults are more inclined to display aggressive behaviour and signs of dominance. The sexes have shown no difference in competitive behaviours. Reintroduced and wild-bred birds did not differ in dominance or feeding rate despite their differences in upbringing. [32]

Threats

The main cause of the rapid decline in the griffon vulture population is the consumption of poisoned baits set out by people. Wildlife conservation efforts have attempted to increase awareness of the lethal consequences of using illegally poisoned baits through education about the issue. [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulture</span> Common name for a type of bird

A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture. Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and South America and consist of seven identified species, all belonging to the Cathartidae family. A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald, unfeathered head. This bare skin is thought to keep the head clean when feeding, and also plays an important role in thermoregulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old World vulture</span> Informal group of birds

Old World vultures are vultures that are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and which belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bearded vulture</span> Species of bird

The bearded vulture, also known as the lammergeier and ossifrage, is a very large bird of prey in the monotypic genus Gypaetus. Traditionally considered an Old World vulture, it actually forms a separate minor lineage of Accipitridae together with the Egyptian vulture, its closest living relative. It is not much more closely related to the Old World vultures proper than to, for example, hawks, and differs from the former by its feathered neck. Although dissimilar, the Egyptian and bearded vulture each have a lozenge-shaped tail—unusual among birds of prey. It is vernacularly known as Homa, a bird in Iranian mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himalayan vulture</span> Species of bird

The Himalayan vulture or Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture native to the Himalayas and foothills in North and Northeastern India, as well as the adjacent Tibetan Plateau. After the cinereous vulture, it is the second-largest Old World vulture species, and among the world's largest true raptors. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. It is not to be confused with the Eurasian griffon vulture, which is a visually similar, sympatric species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-rumped vulture</span> Species of bird

The white-rumped vulture is an Old World vulture native to South and Southeast Asia. It has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2000, as the population severely declined. White-rumped vultures die of kidney failure caused by diclofenac poisoning. In the 1980s, the global population was estimated at several million individuals, and it was thought to be "the most abundant large bird of prey in the world". As of 2021, the global population was estimated at less than 6,000 mature individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian vulture</span> Species of vulture

The Indian vulture or long-billed vulture is a bird of prey native to the Indian subcontinent. It is an Old World vulture belonging to the family of Accipitridae. It is a medium-sized vulture with a small, semi-bald head with little feathers, long beak, and wide dark colored wings. It breeds mainly on small cliffs and hilly crags in central India and south India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egyptian vulture</span> Species of Old World vultures of the genus Neophron

The Egyptian vulture, also called the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh's chicken, is a small Old World vulture in the monotypic genus Neophron. It is widely distributed from the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, West Asia and India. The contrasting underwing pattern and wedge-shaped tail make it distinctive in flight as it soars in thermals during the warmer parts of the day. Egyptian vultures feed mainly on carrion but are opportunistic and will prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They also feed on the eggs of other birds, breaking larger ones by tossing a large pebble onto them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-backed vulture</span> Species of bird

The white-backed vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the most common vulture species in the continent of Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinereous vulture</span> Species of bird

The cinereous vulture is a large raptor in the family Accipitridae and distributed through much of temperate Eurasia. It is also known as the black vulture, monk vulture and Eurasian black vulture. With a body length of 1.2 m, 3.1 m (10 ft) across the wings and a maximum weight of 14 kg (31 lb), it is the largest Old World vulture and largest member of the Accipitridae family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rüppell's vulture</span> Species of bird

Rüppell's vulture, also called Rüppell's griffon vulture, named after Eduard Rüppell, is a large bird of prey, mainly native to the Sahel region and East Africa. The former population of 22,000 has been decreasing due to loss of habitat, incidental poisoning, and other factors. Known also as Rüppell's griffon, Rueppell's griffon, Rüppell's griffin vulture, Rueppell's vulture and other variants, it is not to be confused with a different species, the griffon vulture. Rüppell's vulture is considered to be the highest-flying bird, with confirmed evidence of a flight at an altitude of 11,300 m (37,000 ft) above sea level.

<i>Gyps</i> Genus of birds

Gyps is a genus of Old World vultures that was proposed by Marie Jules César Savigny in 1809. Its members are sometimes known as griffon vultures. Gyps vultures have a slim head, a long slender neck with downy feathers, and a ruff around the neck formed by long buoyant feathers. The crown of their big beaks is a little compressed, and their big dark nostrils are set transverse to the beak. They have six or seven wing feathers, of which the first is the shortest and the fourth the longest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape vulture</span> Species of bird

The Cape vulture, also known as Cape griffon and Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to southern Africa, and lives mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and in some parts of northern Namibia. It nests on cliffs and lays one egg per year. In 2015, it had been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but was down-listed to Vulnerable in 2021 as some populations increased and have been stable since about 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monfragüe</span> Protected area in Spain

Monfragüe is a Spanish national park noted for its bird-life. It is situated in the center of a triangle formed by Plasencia, Trujillo and the city of Cáceres within the province of Cáceres. Monfragüe is also a comarca of Extremadura, western Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slender-billed vulture</span> Species of bird

The slender-billed vulture is an Old World vulture species native to sub-Himalayan regions and Southeast Asia. It is Critically Endangered since 2002 as the population on the Indian subcontinent has declined rapidly. As of 2021, fewer than 870 mature individuals are thought to remain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve</span> Zoo in the Carmel mountains, Israel

Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is a 1,500-acre (610 ha) breeding and acclimation center administered by the Israel Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority, situated in the Carmel mountains in northwestern Israel, within the larger Mount Carmel National Park. The Carmel Hai-Bar is the Mediterranean climate counterpart of the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve which operates in the desert. The University of Haifa is located next to the entrance to the park.

The year 2012 in birding and ornithology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian vulture crisis</span> Ecological crisis in Indian subcontinent

Nine species of vulture can be found living in India, but most are now in danger of extinction after a rapid and major population collapse in recent decades. In the early 1980s, three species of Gyps vultures had a combined estimated population of 40 million in South Asia, while in 2017 the total population numbered only 19,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore</span> Critically Endangered Bird Breeding Centre in Haryana, India

The Jatayu and Sparrow Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC), is the world's largest facility for the breeding and conservation of Indian vultures and the house sparrow. It is located within the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary in the town of Pinjore in the State of Haryana, India. It is run by the Haryana Forests Department and Bombay Natural History Society with the help of British nature conservation charity Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Pinjore and covers 5 acres (2.0 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crete Mediterranean forests</span>

The Crete Mediterranean forests is a terrestrial ecoregion that encompasses the Greek island of Crete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African vulture crisis</span> Ecological disaster in Africa

The African vulture crisis is an ongoing population decline in several Old World vulture species across Africa. Steep population declines have been reported from many locations across the continent since the early 2000s. The causes are mainly poisoning from baited animal carcasses, and the illegal trade in vulture body parts for traditional medicine. Available data suggest that the African vulture crisis may be similar in scale to the Indian vulture crisis, but more protracted and less well documented.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2021). "Gyps fulvus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T22695219A157719127. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Hablizl, Carl (1783). "Bemerkungen in der persischen Landschaft Gilan und auf den Gilanischen Gebirgen". In Pallas, Peter Simon (ed.). Neue nordische Beyträge zur physikalischen und geographischen Erd- und Völkerbeschreibung, Naturgeschichte und Oekonomie (in German). Vol. 4. St. Petersburg and Leipzig: Bey Johann Zacharias Logan. pp. 1–104 [58–59].
  3. ↑ Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v10.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.2.
  4. ↑ "Griffon vulture". Birdlife international. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Ferguson-Lees, James; Christie, David A. (2001). Raptors of the World. Illustrated by Kim Franklin, David Mead, and Philip Burton. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN   978-0-618-12762-7.
  6. ↑ Ali, Sálim (1996). The Book of Indian Birds (12th ed.). Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. ISBN   978-0-19-563731-1.
  7. ↑ Ettinger, Powell (2008). "Griffon vultures on Cres Island - Croatia". Wildlife Extra.
  8. ↑ "Croatian Flora Fauna clear list".
  9. ↑ "BTO BirdFacts | Griffon Vulture". app.bto.org. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  10. ↑ Unwin, B. "Guernsey welcomes its latest resident: the griffon vulture". Independent. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "At last, some good news for Cyprus vultures". birdlifecyprus.org. BirdLife Cyprus. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  12. ↑ Xirouchakis, S. M.; Mylonas, M (December 2005). "Status and structure of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population in Crete". European Journal of Wildlife Research. 51 (4): 223–231. Bibcode:2005EJWR...51..223X. doi:10.1007/s10344-005-0101-4. S2CID   24900498.
  13. ↑ Xirouchakis, S (2005). "Selection of Breeding Cliffs by Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus in Crete (Greece)". Acta Ornithologica. 40 (2): 155–161. doi: 10.3161/068.040.0211 .
  14. ↑ "Gänsegeier in Flandern" [Griffon vultures in Flanders]. n-tv (in German). 18 June 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  15. ↑ "Großer Geier-Einflug über Deutschland" [Large vulture flight over Germany] (in German). Handelsblatt. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  16. ↑ "Gänsegeier in Deutschland" [Griffon vultures in Germany]. n-tv (in German). 22 June 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  17. ↑ "Prehistoric flute in Germany is oldest known". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  18. ↑ "Earliest musical tradition documented in SW Germany". Science Centric. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  19. ↑ "Canyon of river Trešnjica". Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  20. ↑ "Zlatar tourist organization, Serbia".[ permanent dead link ]
  21. ↑ "Grifo (Gyps fulvus)". www.avesdeportugal.info. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  22. ↑ MacKenzie, Debora (1 June 2007). "Starving vultures switch to live prey". New Scientist . Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  23. ↑ "Woman Eaten By Vultures After Fall From Cliff". inquisitr. 6 May 2013.
  24. ↑ Armenian Bird Census. "The State of Griffon Vulture in Armenia". Armenian Bird Census. TSE NGO. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ↑ Carey, James R.; Judge, Debra S. "Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish". Monographs on Population Aging, 8. Odense University Press. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  26. ↑ Zuberogoitia, I.; Martínez, J.E.; González-Oreja, J.A.; Pérez de Ana, J.M.; Zabala, J. (2019). "Factors affecting population regulation of a colonial vulture". Ibis. 161 (4): 878–889. doi:10.1111/ibi.12687. S2CID   92172949.
  27. ↑ Gavrilov, V. M. (26 November 2011). "Energy expenditures for flight, aerodynamic quality, and colonization of forest habitats by birds". Biology Bulletin. 38 (8): 779–788. Bibcode:2011BioBu..38..779G. doi:10.1134/S1062359011080024. ISSN   1062-3590. S2CID   20637646.
  28. ↑ Duriez, Olivier; Kato, Akiko; Tromp, Clara; Dell'Omo, Giacomo; Vyssotski, Alexei L.; Sarrazin, François; Ropert-Coudert, Yan (15 January 2014). "How Cheap Is Soaring Flight in Raptors? A Preliminary Investigation in Freely-Flying Vultures". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e84887. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...984887D. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084887 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   3893159 . PMID   24454760.
  29. ↑ Ward, Jennifer; McCafferty, Dominic J.; Houston, David C.; Ruxton, Graeme D. (1 April 2008). "Why do vultures have bald heads? The role of postural adjustment and bare skin areas in thermoregulation". Journal of Thermal Biology. 33 (3): 168–173. Bibcode:2008JTBio..33..168W. doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2008.01.002.
  30. ↑ Prinzinger, Roland; Nagel, B.; Bahat, O.; Bögel, R.; Karl, E.; Weihs, D.; Walzer, C. (1 October 2002). "Energy metabolism and body temperature in the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) with comparative data on the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and the White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)". Journal für Ornithologie. 143 (4): 456–467. Bibcode:2002JOrni.143..456P. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0361.2002.02039.x. ISSN   1439-0361.
  31. ↑ Bahat O (1995) Physiological adaptations and foraging ecology of an obligatory carrion eater - the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) [PhD thesis]. Tel Aviv: Tel-Aviv University, p. 102.
  32. ↑ Bose, Michela; Sarrazin, Francois (July 2007). "Competitive behaviour and feeding rate in a reintroduced population of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus". British Ornithologists' Union. 149 (3): 490–501. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.2007.00674.x.
  33. ↑ Demerdzhiev, D.; Hristov, H.; Dobrev, D.; Angelov, I. & Kurtev, M. (2014). "Long-term population status, breeding parameters and limiting factors of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus Hablizl, 1783) population in the Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria" (PDF). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica. 66 (3): 373–384.
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