Warm body in freezing air
, Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) adlut flight_w_1191_
This was taken at high altitude in the Pyrenees on a freezing cold morning. We had suitable clothing etc but it was a pre-dawn stakeout and after four hours we were ready to return down the mountain, cold but elated with some great views and photos of this and other big raptors!
Here are some interesting facts about the Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture:
The Lammergeier is one of the largest old world vultures. They have a body length between 1 and 1.2 m (3.25 - 4 ft), a wingspan between 2.3 and 2.8 m (7.5 - 9.2 ft) and they weigh between 4.5 and 7 kgs (10 - 15 lbs).
Lammergeiers have a buff coloured body and head with distinctive grey and black markings on their face. Their huge wings and wedge-shaped tail are grey/black in colour and they have beard-like feathers at the base of their bill. Unlike most other species of vulture, lammergeiers do not have a bald head, this is due to bones making up the main part of their diet.
Habitat
Lammergeiers can be found at high elevations in mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and Africa. They live at altitudes between 300 and 4,500 m (984 - 14,764 ft) although they are mainly found at altitudes above 2,000 m (6,562 ft). They have extremely large home territories that range from 250 to 700 sq. kms.
Diet
Lammergeiers feed on carrion and bones. They carry large bones high into the air and drop them on rocks below. When the bones have shattered they feed on the marrow inside.
Breeding
Lammergeiers breed once per year and they usually form monogamous pairs, although polyandrous trios can be found. They breed between October and July and 1 - 3 eggs are laid, although only 1 chick usually survives.
The eggs are incubated for 53 - 60 days and the chicks fledge at around 4 months old. Females reach sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and males between 8 and 9 years of age.
Predators
Common ravens, golden eagles and griffon vultures are predators of Lammergeier chicks.
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of the Lammergeier:
Gypaetus barbatus aureus
Gypaetus barbatus barbatus
Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis
Interesting Facts
Lammergeiers are also known as:
Bearded Vulture
Lammergeyer
Warm body in freezing air
, Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) adlut flight_w_1191_
This was taken at high altitude in the Pyrenees on a freezing cold morning. We had suitable clothing etc but it was a pre-dawn stakeout and after four hours we were ready to return down the mountain, cold but elated with some great views and photos of this and other big raptors!
Here are some interesting facts about the Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture:
The Lammergeier is one of the largest old world vultures. They have a body length between 1 and 1.2 m (3.25 - 4 ft), a wingspan between 2.3 and 2.8 m (7.5 - 9.2 ft) and they weigh between 4.5 and 7 kgs (10 - 15 lbs).
Lammergeiers have a buff coloured body and head with distinctive grey and black markings on their face. Their huge wings and wedge-shaped tail are grey/black in colour and they have beard-like feathers at the base of their bill. Unlike most other species of vulture, lammergeiers do not have a bald head, this is due to bones making up the main part of their diet.
Habitat
Lammergeiers can be found at high elevations in mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and Africa. They live at altitudes between 300 and 4,500 m (984 - 14,764 ft) although they are mainly found at altitudes above 2,000 m (6,562 ft). They have extremely large home territories that range from 250 to 700 sq. kms.
Diet
Lammergeiers feed on carrion and bones. They carry large bones high into the air and drop them on rocks below. When the bones have shattered they feed on the marrow inside.
Breeding
Lammergeiers breed once per year and they usually form monogamous pairs, although polyandrous trios can be found. They breed between October and July and 1 - 3 eggs are laid, although only 1 chick usually survives.
The eggs are incubated for 53 - 60 days and the chicks fledge at around 4 months old. Females reach sexual maturity between 7 and 8 years of age and males between 8 and 9 years of age.
Predators
Common ravens, golden eagles and griffon vultures are predators of Lammergeier chicks.
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of the Lammergeier:
Gypaetus barbatus aureus
Gypaetus barbatus barbatus
Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis
Interesting Facts
Lammergeiers are also known as:
Bearded Vulture
Lammergeyer