Animal Fact Sheet
Previous | Next
Eurasian Black Vulture
Aegypius monachus
What does it look
like?
Adult eurasian black vultures exhibit the typical featherless head
of the vulture family. Mature adults have dark brown plumage with
bluish gray skin on the head, neck and legs. Their wings are broad
with adults having an 8-10 foot total wingspan. All have a thick
and powerful hooked beak that aids in tearing through the tendons
and skin of carrion. Strong large feet with blunt talons are used
for grasping and holding onto carcasses.
- Juveniles have black plumage with pink skin on the head, neck
and legs
- An Adult can weigh up to 28lbs
- Similar to other raptors both sexes look alike however males
are often smaller than females
|
| Where
in the world?
Currently, it is estimated that there are less than 4,000 birds
throughout the world. They are found in the mountainous areas of
Spain, the Himalayas of India and Tibet, East to North East Mongolia
and also into Sudan. Occasionally they will migrate to Southern
China and Northern India. They have also been sighted on Mount Everest
at altitudes of up to 23,000 feet (4 miles high).
What are some behaviors?
Unlike other vultures Eurasian are not gregarious and are usually
seen in pairs or small groups. They will rob other diurnal raptors
of food sources due to their size and aggression at areas of feeding.
They have excellent eyesight, which assists them at locating prey
from great distances. In their niche eurasian are at the top of
the food chain and have no natural predators other than man. They
have a lifespan of more than 38 years.
What about offspring?
Eurasian usually form a life long pair bond with successful breeding
occurring for the first time at 5-6 years of age. Both sexes take
part in the construction of a large nest, which is usually found
on the tops of large trees or on rock ledges. The nest is reusable
with the pair adding more material each year after the first. After
mating a single egg is laid and with proper incubation it will hatch
after a period of 50-55 days. Both parents are involved in the rearing
of young. For the first 2 months one parent will constantly remain
at the nest site to guard and protect the young chick. The parents
will regurgitate food and offer it to the offspring with their beak.
Young will become fully fledged at 100-120 days of age.
|
|
What does it eat?
As diurnal raptors eurasian mainly feed on medium to large sized
carrion and have occasionally been observed hunting live prey such
as lizards and tortoises. In recent years a noticeable decline in
the availability of carrion has occurred due to a decrease in wild
animals and the implementation of modern agricultural practices
resulting in better overall health care of domestic livestock. Their
large size enables them to be more dominating than other species
of vultures at chosen feeding sites.
In captivity eurasian are fed a commercial meat
based diet made exclusively for zoo animals. They also consume various
small rodents and fowl.
Is it threatened
or endangered?
Eurasian black vultures are severely threatened due to hunting, poisoning,
habitat destruction and the reduction of available wild and domestic
food sources throughout most of their range. The Living Desert is
a participant in the eurasian black vulture species survival plan. |
