The griffon vulture is a beautiful giant that once inhabited all the mountainous regions of Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Carpathians. In English, its correct name is Eurasian griffon vulture, in latin Gyps fulvus. There are 23 species of vultures worldwide. In the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia), there are 16 species, while in the New World (South and North America), there are 7 species. The vultures of the New World include the Andean and California condors. The English name for the griffon vulture is quite an interesting story in itself. J.K. Rowling, when naming one of the houses at Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter books, chose the name “Gryffindor,” inspired by the griffon vulture. This is where the main character of the book, along with his friends, belonged. When you see these giants soaring in the sky, emerging through the clouds and mist, you can understand why such a name was chosen.
The griffon vulture is a true giant of the mountains.
eurasian griffon vultures
The griffon vulture is a very large bird. Its wingspan can reach up to 280 cm. It’s body length can reach up to 120 cm, and it can weigh up to 11 kg. The griffon vulture is a scavenger, meaning it circles the sky until it finds a carcass lying on the ground, then it heads down to feed. Usually, they fly in flocks, and this spiraling gliding is called a kettle. They are able to spot food from as far as 6 kilometers away (in height). However, they have a very poor sense of smell.
Griffon vultures are very social birds, meaning they form colonies. They live in large groups on rocky cliffs and trees and they get along well with each other. Considering their size and weight, it is understandable that they have difficulty taking off. When they leave the cliff to fly, they take advantage of the rising warm air currents in the late morning, which help lift them into the sky. Once they are airborne, they can use these air currents to glide for hours, covering distances of several hundred kilometers in search of food.
griffon vulture landing
griffon vulture in flight
The griffon vulture feeds on carcasses lying on the ground.
When a vulture circling in the sky spots food on the ground, it quickly descends to eat. Although they are very social with each other, there is still some fighting over food. This was visible both in the attached video and in the photo.
griffon vultures foggy morning
The griffon vulture population in Europe declined catastrophically in the last century, especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. In the Alps, they essentially became extinct. However, a large effort began to reintroduce these magnificent birds and to increase their numbers. Today, 90% of the griffon vulture population in Europe lives in Spain. I also went to photograph them in the Pyrenees at about 1200 meters above sea level. There is an interesting story about them: when their numbers started to grow again, a setback came from an entirely unexpected angle. The European Union, fearing diseases, prohibited farmers from leaving dead livestock on pastures. As a result, the vultures lost a significant food source. Now, some countries have adopted special conditions, allowing dead animals to be left on pastures.
The griffon vulture has an incredible ability to cope with even the most dangerous pathogens. By eating decaying meat full of microorganisms, they manage to handle all these dangers remarkably well.
adult and young griffon vulture
Griffon vultures form lifelong pairs.
griffon vultures
Griffon vultures form lifelong pairs. They can live to be over 40 years old. A colony consists of 15–20 pairs of vultures. At the end of January, one egg is laid. Incubation lasts 52–60 days, and both parents take turns incubating the egg.
In their search for food, they avoid forested areas, swamps, and water. These large giants have few natural enemies. I had the pleasure of witnessing how a fox arrived in the middle of the griffon vultures’ feeding session. It was an intense, equal-world moment, where the vultures weren’t afraid of the fox, and the fox tried to scare the birds into flying off so it could quickly snatch some food. However, the vultures were quick to fight back against the fox. In the end, the fox still managed to get a piece of its meal.
two griffon vultures
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