Lammergeier
Scientific Name: Gypaetus barbatus
Family: Accipitridae - hawks, eagles, vultures
Lifespan: 21.4 years in wild, up to 45 years in captivity
Wingspan: 7.5-9.3 ft
Weight: 10-16 lbs
(Clark & Vitali, 2009).
The bearded vulture is a bird that is most commonly found Southern Europe and Asia as well as some parts of Africa. It typically lives at high elevations in the mountains of these areas. Overall, bearded vultures are a part of a healthy and thriving population (Clark & Vitali, 2009). Although some populations have been decreasing due to hunting and disturbances to the habitats, they are not considered endangered because other populations, particularly in the Himalayas, are still thriving (Tenenzapf, 2011).
Bearded vultures are mostly monogamous, only mating with one other individual throughout their lives. After meeting the male, the female typically waits 50-90 days before laying eggs. They breed once per year anywhere between the months of October and July. The female only lays 1-3 eggs per cycle and only 1 egg survives (Tenenzapf, 2011).
Common ravens, golden eagles, and Griffon vultures are all known predators of bearded vultures. These birds prey on the young vultures, especially when found unprotected. Because the lammergeier is very territorial, it uses a good amount of energy in order to protect their young from these predators (Tenenzapf, 2011).
The lammergeier is a carnivorous scavenger, meaning it feeds on carcasses of dead animals, especially mammals, tortoises, and birds (Clark & Vitali, 2009). It particularly seems to enjoy eating the bones of such animals. Bearded vultures have been known to carry bones high over piles of rock, called ossuaries and drop them repeatedly until they break open. They then consume the bone marrow (Tenenzapf, 2011).
Bearded vultures have a unique "weapon": their tongues. The tongue of a lammergeier is very hard and shaped like a shovel. This helps it consume the bone marrow of a bone after it breaks open. Because it acts almost like a spoon, the tongue can scrape out the bone marrow and bring it to the mouth (Ferguson-Lees).
Humans do not directly use the bearded vultures or their "weapon". However, since they are scavengers, they remove carcasses from an ecosystem and, as a result, help control disease (Tenenzapf, 2011).
References
Tenenzapf, J. (2011). Gypaetus Barbatus. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Gypaetus_barbatus/.
Clark, K. & Vitali, L. (2014). Lammergeier (Gypaetus Barbatus). Wildscreen Arkive. Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/lammergeier/gypaetus-barbatus/
Ferguson-Lees, I.J. Studies of Less Familiar Birds: Lammergeier. Studies of Less Familiar Birds 102. Lammergeier. Retrieved from http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V53/V53_N01/V53_N01_P025_029_A004.pdf
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/pictures/Bearded_Vulture__Whitenecked_Raven_Philip_Perry.jpg
Bearded vultures are mostly monogamous, only mating with one other individual throughout their lives. After meeting the male, the female typically waits 50-90 days before laying eggs. They breed once per year anywhere between the months of October and July. The female only lays 1-3 eggs per cycle and only 1 egg survives (Tenenzapf, 2011).
http://alexsukonkin.com/album/Birds/bearded-vulture.jpg
Common ravens, golden eagles, and Griffon vultures are all known predators of bearded vultures. These birds prey on the young vultures, especially when found unprotected. Because the lammergeier is very territorial, it uses a good amount of energy in order to protect their young from these predators (Tenenzapf, 2011).
The lammergeier is a carnivorous scavenger, meaning it feeds on carcasses of dead animals, especially mammals, tortoises, and birds (Clark & Vitali, 2009). It particularly seems to enjoy eating the bones of such animals. Bearded vultures have been known to carry bones high over piles of rock, called ossuaries and drop them repeatedly until they break open. They then consume the bone marrow (Tenenzapf, 2011).
http://www.crete-kreta.com/files/images/GypaetosEating.jpg
Bearded vultures have a unique "weapon": their tongues. The tongue of a lammergeier is very hard and shaped like a shovel. This helps it consume the bone marrow of a bone after it breaks open. Because it acts almost like a spoon, the tongue can scrape out the bone marrow and bring it to the mouth (Ferguson-Lees).
Humans do not directly use the bearded vultures or their "weapon". However, since they are scavengers, they remove carcasses from an ecosystem and, as a result, help control disease (Tenenzapf, 2011).
http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V53/V53_N01/V53_N01_P025_029_A004.pdf
Curious to learn more about the Bearded Vulture? Come check out the exhibit!
References
Tenenzapf, J. (2011). Gypaetus Barbatus. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Gypaetus_barbatus/.
Clark, K. & Vitali, L. (2014). Lammergeier (Gypaetus Barbatus). Wildscreen Arkive. Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/lammergeier/gypaetus-barbatus/
Ferguson-Lees, I.J. Studies of Less Familiar Birds: Lammergeier. Studies of Less Familiar Birds 102. Lammergeier. Retrieved from http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V53/V53_N01/V53_N01_P025_029_A004.pdf
