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Himalayan Griffon Vulture

Gyps himalayensis

Size: The largest of the griffon vultures

Voice:

Diet/Feeding: Feeding mainly on carrion, like its other griffon relatives, this species fall in the middle of the pecking order at a carcass. Dominated by the Cinereous vulture, it still is able to eat ahead of the Lammergeier.

Flight: Graceful, soaring flight is common to members of the griffon family. The himalayan, in particular, is recorded at incredible heights, as it is a mountain dwelling bird, capable of weathering the low air pressure and cold temperatures that go along with life at a high altitude.

Range/Habitat: Throughout the Himalayas and Central Asia's mountain ranges. Occasionally migrate to Northern India.

Behavior: The Himalayan Griffon Vultures are very social, like all members of the griffon family. They enjoy feeding, roosting, and even nesting in colonies.

Life Cycle:

Breeding: Breeding and nesting well above the treeline, these hardy birds can rear their young as high as 2 1/2 miles up. They build large nests, woven of sticks. The breeding season occurs towards the end of winter and well into spring.

Status:

Folklore, Misc. Information: The Himalayan griffon vulture plays a very imporant role in the history of the Tibetan culture. For most of the year, it was not possible to bury the dead in the rocklike frozen soil. Neither could bodies be cremated, as wood was both rare and expensive. After funeral rites were performed in the home, the body of the dead was taken to the "disposer of bodies." This individual was responsible for feeding the body to the vultures, and ensuring that every last bit of it was consumed. With the Griffons and Cinereous to take care of the meat, and the Lammergeiers to finish off the bones, there was never any problem disposing of the dead. It was also key to the Buddhist reincarnation theory that souls could not be born into a new body until their old one was destroyed. This method is still practiced today, though on a much smaller scale.

A Himalayan Griffon Vulture in many languages:

English: Himalayan Griffon



		Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis

	Size: The largest of the griffon vultures Voice: Diet/Feeding: Feeding mainly on carrion, like its other griffon relatives, this species fall in the middle of the pecking order at a carcass. Dominated by the Cinereous vulture, it still is able to eat ahead of the Lammergeier. Flight: Graceful, soaring flight is common to members of the griffon family. The himalayan, in particular, is recorded at incredible heights, as it is a mountain dwelling bird, capable of weathering the low air pressure and cold temperatures that go along with life at a high altitude. Range/Habitat: Throughout the Himalayas and Central Asia's mountain ranges. Occasionally migrate to Northern India. Behavior: The Himalayan Griffon Vultures are very social, like all members of the griffon family. They enjoy feeding, roosting, and even nesting in colonies. Life Cycle: Breeding: Breeding and nesting well above the treeline, these hardy birds can rear their young as high as 2 1/2 miles up. They build large nests, woven of sticks. The breeding season occurs towards the end of winter and well into spring. Status: Folklore, Misc. Information: The Himalayan griffon vulture plays a very imporant role in the history of the Tibetan culture. For most of the year, it was not possible to bury the dead in the rocklike frozen soil. Neither could bodies be cremated, as wood was both rare and expensive. After funeral rites were performed in the home, the body of the dead was taken to the "disposer of bodies." This individual was responsible for feeding the body to the vultures, and ensuring that every last bit of it was consumed. With the Griffons and Cinereous to take care of the meat, and the Lammergeiers to finish off the bones, there was never any problem disposing of the dead. It was also key to the Buddhist reincarnation theory that souls could not be born into a new body until their old one was destroyed. This method is still practiced today, though on a much smaller scale. A Himalayan Griffon Vulture in many languages: English: Himalayan Griffon