Lammergeier
NameLammergeier
Common NameBearded Vulture
Scientific NameGypaetus barbatus
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)285
Length (cm)110
Weight (g)6150
Plumage DetailsAdults display a striking rusty-orange coloration on their head, neck, and underparts, often stained by iron-rich soil. Their back and upperwings are dark grey to black, with a pale streak on the upperwing. Juveniles are uniformly dark brown.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent, Lammergeiers produce high-pitched whistles and trills, particularly during the breeding season or when interacting at their nests.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsmountainous regions, cliffs, high-altitude grasslands
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeIts range is vast but fragmented, spanning mountainous areas of southern Europe, Africa, and Asia, from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas.
Identifying Featureslong, diamond-shaped tail, bearded bristles under beak, rusty-orange underside (adults), dark grey/black back and wings, bone-eating behavior
Description
The Lammergeier, also known as the Bearded Vulture, is a large Old World vulture characterized by its distinctive long, diamond-shaped tail and a 'beard' of bristles under its beak. It is unique among birds of prey for its specialized diet, primarily consuming bones and bone marrow.
