Himalayan Griffon Vulture

Himalayan Griffon Vulture
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Gyps Species: himalayensis
Binomial name
Gyps himalayensis

The Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Gyps himalayensis, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kitess, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus.

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 dead 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 a short tail. 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.

This vulture grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion.