Untitled1

Long-Billed Vulture

(Indian Griffon Vulture)

Gyps indicus

Size:

Voice:

Diet/Feeding: These indian members of the griffon family feed on carrion, which is plentiful in their area, in the form of sheep, buffalos, and other unfortunate domestics livestock. Because their long, thin beaks are not very strong, the Indian Griffon vultures must often wait for the larger scavengers to tear open a carcass for them.

Flight: Soaring gracefully through the hills, these vultures use their altitudinal advantage to helpt them seek out food faster than land-bound scavengers.

Range/Habitat: These vultures are found throughout India, Bombay, and the surrounding areas.

Behavior: Gregarious birds, like all griffons, these vultures are never alone.

Life Cycle:

Breeding:

Status:

Folklore, Misc. Information: The parsees, a religious sect near Bombay, believe that dead bodies pollute the sacred elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Therefore, the bodies of their dead cannot be buried of cremated, but must be recycled back into the chain by the vultures. The great "towers of silence" are elevated structures with a wire grid roof. Here, the bodies of deceased Parsees are placed, facing the sky, and the vultures gather faithfully to quickly and cleanly take care of the body. This function is considered so important to the people that the vulture is protected by law.

A Long-Billed Vulture in many languages:



		Long-Billed Vulture (Indian Griffon Vulture) Gyps indicus

	Size: Voice: Diet/Feeding: These indian members of the griffon family feed on carrion, which is plentiful in their area, in the form of sheep, buffalos, and other unfortunate domestics livestock. Because their long, thin beaks are not very strong, the Indian Griffon vultures must often wait for the larger scavengers to tear open a carcass for them. Flight: Soaring gracefully through the hills, these vultures use their altitudinal advantage to helpt them seek out food faster than land-bound scavengers. Range/Habitat: These vultures are found throughout India, Bombay, and the surrounding areas. Behavior: Gregarious birds, like all griffons, these vultures are never alone. Life Cycle: Breeding: Status: Folklore, Misc. Information: The parsees, a religious sect near Bombay, believe that dead bodies pollute the sacred elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Therefore, the bodies of their dead cannot be buried of cremated, but must be recycled back into the chain by the vultures. The great "towers of silence" are elevated structures with a wire grid roof. Here, the bodies of deceased Parsees are placed, facing the sky, and the vultures gather faithfully to quickly and cleanly take care of the body. This function is considered so important to the people that the vulture is protected by law. A Long-Billed Vulture in many languages: