Untitled1

Cinereous Vulture

(European Black Vulture)

Aegypus monachus

Size: The largest of the Old World Vultures, with a wingspan of 8 1/2 to 9 feet.

Voice:

Diet/Feeding: More predatory than most of its carrion-eating relatives, this giant vulture's strong beak has a sharp hook at the end, cabable of breaking open fresh carcassas and even killing small animals. This less vulturelike diet is also indicated by his heavily feathered neck ruff and slightly feathered head, less suited for probing around in carcasses.

Despite his predatory capabilities, there is a large amount of carrion in the Cinereous vulture's diet. At any feeding location, this bird is the boss. Hissing and lunging at the other vultures, it gains first rights to the carcass. The Cinereous vulture can only be scared from a carcass by a wolf, the vulture's primary competitor for food throughout its range.

Flight: This vulture has been recorded flying as high as 23,000 feet. The record was taken by climbers atop Mt. Everest, over 4 miles high.

Range/Habitat: Spain to southern Russia, and across Tibet, Mongolia, and the Himalayas. Occasionally migrates south to Southern China and Northern India.

Behavior: Unlike the griffons and other vultures in its range, the Cinereous vulture prefers its solitude. Preferring to feed and nest apart from others of its kind, this great vulture is only occasionally seen sharing its living and roosting space with a small number of companions.

Life Cycle:

Breeding: Nest building is an elaborate and lengthy process, involving the layering of sticks and pine branches into structures that can measure as wide as 8 feet, and 7 feet deep. The mother lays a single egg in this protective nest. Young leave the nest within 3 to 4 weeks of hatching.

Status: Extinct in some areas where it previously bred, the black vulture is listed as "seriously threatened" in Europe. Unfortunately, it has been persecuted throughout the years, based on myths that it ate cattle and spread diseases such as anthrax. On the contrary, this bird is most certainly not strong enough to take down large livestock,and, interestingly, studies have showed the bird's ability to kill the anthrax virus in its strong digestive system.

Folklore, Misc. Information: A Rumanian myth tells of a gathering of all the birds of the world, to determine who was to be their ruler. The eagle was decided to be the ruler. The falcon came second, followed by the Cinereous vulture, then other vultures, and finally hawks and kites. The last was the sparrow hawk, tiny but extremely smart, who contested his position. Arguing that even the eagle was not the strongest being in the world, he pointed out that archers and hunters could easily kill these majestic birds. All the birds turned to him for the answer to their safety. "Always fly alone," the sparrow hawk advised, "for then you will not be easy targets for hunters." the great rulers heeded his advice, and today the Great Vulture always flies alone.

A Cinereous Vulture in many languages:

English: Cinereous Vulture, European Black Vulture

Latin: Aegypius monachus, literally "a monk-like vulture."



		Cinereous Vulture (European Black Vulture) Aegypus monachus

	Size: The largest of the Old World Vultures, with a wingspan of 8 1/2 to 9 feet. Voice: Diet/Feeding: More predatory than most of its carrion-eating relatives, this giant vulture's strong beak has a sharp hook at the end, cabable of breaking open fresh carcassas and even killing small animals. This less vulturelike diet is also indicated by his heavily feathered neck ruff and slightly feathered head, less suited for probing around in carcasses. Despite his predatory capabilities, there is a large amount of carrion in the Cinereous vulture's diet. At any feeding location, this bird is the boss. Hissing and lunging at the other vultures, it gains first rights to the carcass. The Cinereous vulture can only be scared from a carcass by a wolf, the vulture's primary competitor for food throughout its range. Flight: This vulture has been recorded flying as high as 23,000 feet. The record was taken by climbers atop Mt. Everest, over 4 miles high. Range/Habitat: Spain to southern Russia, and across Tibet, Mongolia, and the Himalayas. Occasionally migrates south to Southern China and Northern India. Behavior: Unlike the griffons and other vultures in its range, the Cinereous vulture prefers its solitude. Preferring to feed and nest apart from others of its kind, this great vulture is only occasionally seen sharing its living and roosting space with a small number of companions. Life Cycle: Breeding: Nest building is an elaborate and lengthy process, involving the layering of sticks and pine branches into structures that can measure as wide as 8 feet, and 7 feet deep. The mother lays a single egg in this protective nest. Young leave the nest within 3 to 4 weeks of hatching. Status: Extinct in some areas where it previously bred, the black vulture is listed as "seriously threatened" in Europe. Unfortunately, it has been persecuted throughout the years, based on myths that it ate cattle and spread diseases such as anthrax. On the contrary, this bird is most certainly not strong enough to take down large livestock,and, interestingly, studies have showed the bird's ability to kill the anthrax virus in its strong digestive system. Folklore, Misc. Information: A Rumanian myth tells of a gathering of all the birds of the world, to determine who was to be their ruler. The eagle was decided to be the ruler. The falcon came second, followed by the Cinereous vulture, then other vultures, and finally hawks and kites. The last was the sparrow hawk, tiny but extremely smart, who contested his position. Arguing that even the eagle was not the strongest being in the world, he pointed out that archers and hunters could easily kill these majestic birds. All the birds turned to him for the answer to their safety. "Always fly alone," the sparrow hawk advised, "for then you will not be easy targets for hunters." the great rulers heeded his advice, and today the Great Vulture always flies alone. A Cinereous Vulture in many languages: English: Cinereous Vulture, European Black Vulture Latin: Aegypius monachus, literally "a monk-like vulture."