The bearded vulture is a magnificent and yet one of the largest birds of prey that survives on a steady diet of bones. It is also known as Lammergeier which means lamb-vulture. The female birds tend to be larger than male species. The Bearded vulture is not bald-headed like many other types of vultures and this makes it unique. It has an elongated and fine wings, long tail that takes the shape of a wedge, which measures between forty two to fifty two centimeters. The bird appears to be bulkier and magnificent because of its thick, strong neck and powerful talons.
Typically, adult vultures have grey color on their body with a rusty-red or orange and white spots. It has a white forehead that blends well with the black band that passes through the eyes, and chins. Since the birds love bathing in the red dust and mud in their habitat, their bodies are always red or orange. Juveniles are always brown until they are five years old. The bearded vulture is found in mountainous habitats, and they are rarely found in places below one thousand meters above sea level. The birds live near the peaks of mountains, and above the tree line.
Distribution Even though the number of bearded vultures is depleting at a fast rate, they are still available across the globe but in limited populations. In South Africa, the birds are found in Drakensberg Mountain Rang. Globally, the birds live in mountainous areas such as the Altai, Zagros. The bird also resides in areas like the hilly places in China and the Arabian PeninsulaDiet of the bearded Vulture Since it is also a vulture, it is the nature of the bearded vulture to live on steady diet of carrion, which is the dead and decayed flesh of other animals. On the other hand, this type of a bird is known for its capability of hunting down for fresh prey more than other species. Wildlife like tortoises are the major source of food for these species. They drop their prey from greater heights to dismantle the rigid shell. They will also do the same with other preys like hares and hyraxes that must be killed for food.
While this type of species will survive on the fresh of these animals, they tend to love the bone marrow, and it will drop the bones from higher heights or crash them on hard facades using their sharp and strong beaks to find the nutritive marrow.
Since the birds are always looking for carcasses to feast on, the bearded vultures will fry close to the ground to have a clear view. In most cases, the birds will hunt for food in pairs. In a day, the bird can fry more than 2 square meters in one day.
While the birds tend to be unsociable species, the pairs that lay eggs always portray strong and loyal bonds. Furthermore, their regional and breeding displays seem to be remarkable. These include the strengthening, dropping from the sky and show casing their powerful talons. They love locking their claws with their counterparts as they fall down from higher heights together.
Bearded vulture is not a vocal bird like other species. It mainly converses with soprano whistles when participating in their breeding displays. It may also make some cheek-to-cheek sound when in their nests.
Their breeding season is not constant, but in most cases, it lies between may to January in South Africa. The birds build their home with huge twigs that is merged with animal matter that they get from food remains. In most cases they build their nests in hollows, and rock-strewn ridges so that the eggs are protected from other pillagers.
The female will lay 1 or 2 eggs and sometimes 3 on rare occasions. After three months, eggs hatch themselves, and the hatchlings rely on the adult vulture for defense, warmness, and diet. When the checks are more than 100 days old, they will be ready to take care of themselves.
The bearded vulture is said to have an approximate lifespan of 21.5 years. Nevertheless, if the birds live a life free from threats and environmental factors, they can live up to forty five years.