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Sometimes called African White-backed Vulture. Distinguished from Rüppell's Griffon by its all dark bill, dark eyes, and more plain back feathers (Rüppell's back feathers have dark centers and light edges). Although there is no population estimate, BirdLife International also lists this species as critically endangered.
The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), also known as the lammergeier or ossifrage, is a bird of prey.
The acid concentration of the bearded vulture stomach has been estimated to be of pH about 1 and large bones will be digested in about 24 hours, aided by slow mixing/churning of the stomach content. The high fat content of bone marrow makes the net energy value of bone almost as good as that of muscle, even if bone is less completely digested. A skeleton left on a mountain will dehydrate and become protected from bacterial degradation and the bearded vulture can return to consume the remainder of a carcass even months after the soft parts have been consumed by other animals, larvae and bacteria.
Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly on the remains of dead animals. It usually disdains the actual meat, however, and lives on a diet that is typically 85–90% bone marrow. This is the only living bird species that specializes in feeding on marrow. The bearded vulture can swallow whole or bite through brittle bones up to the size of a lamb's femur and its powerful digestive system quickly dissolves even large pieces. The bearded vulture has learned to crack bones too large to be swallowed by carrying them in flight to a height of 50–150 m (160–490 ft) above the ground and then dropping them onto rocks below, which smashes them into smaller pieces and exposes the nutritious marrow. They can fly with bones up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter and weighing over 4 kg (8.8 lb), or nearly equal to their own weight. After dropping the large bones, the bearded vulture spirals or glides down to inspect them and may repeat the act if the bone is not sufficiently cracked. This learned skill requires extensive practice by immature birds and takes up to seven years to master. Its old name of ossifrage ("bone breaker") relates to this habit. More seldom, these birds have been observed to try to break bones (usually of a medium size) by hammering them with their bill directly into rocks while perched. During the breeding season they feed mainly on carrion. They prefer limbs of sheep and other small mammals and they carry the food to the nest unlike other vultures which feed their young by regurgitation.
Live prey is sometimes attacked by the bearded vulture, with perhaps greater regularity than any other vulture. Among these, tortoises seem to be especially favored depending on their local abundance. Tortoises preyed on may be nearly as heavy as the preying vulture. When killing tortoise, bearded vultures also fly to some height and drop them to crack open the bulky reptiles' hard shells. Golden eagles have been observed to kill tortoises in the same way. Other live animals, up to nearly their own size, have been observed to be predaciously seized and dropped in flight. Among these are rock hyraxes, hares, marmots and, in one case, a 62 cm (24 in) long monitor lizard. Larger animals have been known to be attacked by bearded vultures, including ibex, Capra goats, Chamois and Steenbok. These animals have been killed by being surprised by the large birds and battered with wings until they fall off precipitous rocky edges to their deaths; although in some cases these may be accidental killings when both the vulture and the mammal surprise each other. Many large animals killed by bearded vultures are unsteady young, or have appeared sickly or obviously injured. Humans have been anecdotally reported to have been killed in the same way. However, this is unconfirmed and, if it does happen, most biologists who have studied the birds generally agreed it would be accidental on the part of the vulture. Occasionally smaller ground-dwelling birds, such as partridges and pigeons, have been reported eaten, possibly either as fresh carrion (which is usually ignored by these birds) or killed with beating wings by the vulture. While foraging for bones or live prey while in flight, bearded vultures fly fairly low over the rocky ground, staying around 2 to 4 m (6.6 to 13.1 ft) high. Occasionally, breeding pairs may forage and hunt together. In the Ethiopian Highlands, bearded vultures have adapted to living largely off human refuse.
The bird coaxed me to come to him
"in beauty is not always beautiful"
whether my imagination is gripped by a deadly beauty
oh .., my soul is always restless
stranded in your love circle
---------------- rant 73 May 22. 2021
Two species of vulture occur in Florida, the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) and the black vulture (Coragyps atratus).
Turkey vultures have reddish heads while the heads of black vultures are black. The turkey vulture holds its wings in a slight "V" while soaring, whereas the black vulture's wings are held straight. The tail of the black vulture is usually more fanned out in flight and is shorter and broader than that of the turkey vulture.
The black vulture flaps its wings more and soars less than its relative. From below it has whitish patches near the tips of the wings, whereas the wings of the turkey vulture lack these patches.
Vultures eat carrion in the form of road-kills or dead cattle in pastures. Black vultures are more aggressive and may occasionally kill or injure lambs, calves, cows giving birth, or other incapacitated livestock.
I found this Black Vulture at Joe Overstreet Landing. Lake Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida.
Tinker Cliffs in Virginia
The vulture and I shared the same cliff and when he took off I was able to capture this shot of him
Nikon Z 9, 800mm S PF, 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640. Black vulture dominated the Turkey Vulture, unusual. Turkey was persistent and had a literal tug of war over the racoon carcass and got food as well.
Eyeing something on the ground.
Click image to view Larger.
Vultures are exceptionally large, scavenging raptors with bald, featherless heads. Carrion is their preferred diet and vultures (often also called condors or buzzards) can soar for hours while searching for a meal. When a kill is found, many vultures may gather to take advantage of the same food source.
I took my eye off my bag for a moment today, and the vultures decended! My photography bag containing a couple of primes almost became a tasty lunch for this guy....
After many hours of negotiation (haggling), we finally came to terms. This process reminded me a lot of NHL club negotiations with their players' agents. In this case, however, no agents were involved. He was quite adept at stating his case. What you see at the bottom of his feet is the bonus he received for signing on the dotted line.
Vulture-in-residence involves his making himself freely available for shots for which I choose the timing. That way perfect lighting conditions can be guaranteed.
The reason for this shot is that in the previously taken shot (before signed contract) his neck was not visible. Not sure that this is all that important but for documentary purposes we should have that on record.
I am not sure what these vultures are doing. It could be a muscle show off, or a wings exercise, or may be drying out their wings in the sun.... It could also be mating rituals... Whatever is their thing, they had their wings spread constant for some time, I don't usually take photos of Vultures but these caught my attention.
Black Vultures lack a voice box and so their vocal abilities are limited to making raspy hisses and grunts.
This vulture was standing there in the middle of the sertão forest, below the stone of Santa Cruz da Vitória, in the city of Coronel João Sá, Bahia, Brazil. He let me get close to take pictures of him.
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Este urubu estava ali parado no meio da mata do sertão, abaixo pedra da Santa Cruz da Vitória, na cidade de Coronel João Sá, Bahia, Brazil. Me deixou chegar perto para fazer fotos dele.
This huge Turkey Vulture decided to land on this well used lookout post spot. He actually had a amazing view as he was at least 80 feet above on a cliff overlooking a man made lake. This shot was from my camping site whereby i myself had this awesome view of pontoon boats , canoes and fisherman who were enjoying their summertime fun !
It was cool too as he at first did not see me and landed about 15 feet from my lookout view !
Pushing on that trigger is like pulling magic into my very soul...Darrell.
Have a safe and fantabulous day dear Flickr friends !
First home of the Indians,and later invaded by gold miners,the lore of the Vulture Range is legendary and ever evolving. The clash between the Indians and miners was brutal. Eventually the miners won out but it was temporary, when gold ran out, so did the miners....
The Black Vultures (new to me, I'm used to seeing the Turkey Vultures with red heads) were having a ball yesterday, feasting on dead fish. This one was coming into where the action was happening - HMBT & HWW!
Taken a few nights ago. I believe these chaps are really vultures, but "Buzzard Moon" sounds cooler. Also, taking a shot like this was the ultimate in patience (moon movement + bird movement = lots of adjusting, waiting and sighs)!
Briggs, Texas.
Turkey vulture circling around at Alum Rock Park in San Jose, California. Hopefully, he isn't eyeing me.
I often wondered where they went at night. This was taken about 45 minutes before sunrise.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Emigrant Lake - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Open Woodlands
Food : Carrion
Nesting : Cliff
Behavior : Soaring
Convervation : Low Concern
"If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance– perhaps an eagle or osprey. But if it's soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it's likely a Turkey Vulture. These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They are a consummate scavenger, cleaning up the countryside one bite of their sharply hooked bill at a time, and never mussing a feather on their bald heads".
- Cornell Unversity Lab of Ornithology
Turkey Vultures often get a bad rep, but I am always impressed by their glide and their extraordinary wingspan. Taken from a high cliff with the sun shining on it obliquely over a dark valley… At the State Line Lookout, Alpine, New Jersey
I was paying attention to another shot waiting for something to happen. when I realized this was flying over head, I took a few shots as it when by.
Another vulture, also endangered. BirdLife International estimates the population of this species to be only 5700 birds, but currently lists it at Endangered (one step less vulnerable than Rüppell's Griffon and White-backed Vulture). Reasons for being endangered: habitat loss, poisoning, and disturbed nesting sites.
The perspective for this shot was a bit challenging, with a gray sky and tough angle. Not visible in this shot are the birds white "leggings", and white streaked breast.
A Black Vulture returns to its handler as part of a performance before a large crowd on Sunday at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, near Holly, Michigan.