Himalayan Vulture profile

This is an Himalayan Vulture or Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) from the Zoo d'Amnéville in Moselle, eastern France.

Some infos about this bird : Adults are 103–130 cm (41-51 inches) long, have a wingspan of 260–310 cm (102-122 inches) across the wings and weigh 8–12 kg (18-26.4 lbs). They are the second largest Old World vulture, behind only the Cinereous Vulture in size.
It breeds on crags in mountains in the Himalayas and Tibet, laying a single egg. Birds may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of animals, which it finds by soaring over open areas and mountains. These birds often move in flocks.
The Himalayan Griffon Vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald white head, very broad wings, and short tail feathers. It is even larger than the European Griffon Vulture. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The whitish body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.

Conservation status : Least concern

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