Bearded Vulture

The Bearded Vulture, also known as the lammergeier and ossifrage, is a very large bird of prey and the only member of the genus Gypaetus. The bearded vulture does not have a bald head like the majority of vultures do. Even though this species has a strong and muscular neck, its head is rather modest. Its shape is typically elongated and slender, yet occasionally the hunchback of these birds makes it appear larger. The feet are huge and powerful, and the motion on the ground is waddling. The adult is primarily white, rusty, and dark gray in hue. Grey-blue to grey-black can be seen above. The black band across the eyes and the lores and bristles under the chin constitute the black beard that gives the species its English name contrast with the creamy-colored forehead.

This species is almost entirely associated with mountains and monadnocks with plentiful cliffs, crags, precipices, canyons, and gorges. They occasionally inhabit woods but are frequently found close to alpine pastures and meadows, montane grassland and heath, steep-sided, rocky wadis, high steppe, and other similar habitats. It typically inhabits areas near or above the tree line, which can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 meters (6,600 feet) in Europe, 4,500 meters (14,800 feet) in Africa, and 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) in central Asia. If cliffs are available, they have been observed to breed below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in southern Armenia.