Himalayan Griffon Vulture
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[Photo] A Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) shortly before landing. Photo shows vulture hold in captivity in Wildpark Bad Mergentheim, Germany. Date 21. September 2006. Author Matthias Zepper

The Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Gyps himalayensis, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, 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.

Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Gyps
Species: Gyps himalayensis Hume, 1869


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_Griffon_Vulture

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