Cinereous Vulture

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Cinereous vultures are the largest true birds of prey in the world. Their bodies are covered in dark brown feathers, except for their head which is lighter and has bluish-gray skin around their bill. Adults have pale blue-gray legs, brown eyes, and large bills compared to their skull size.

Range & Habitat

Cinereous vultures live in forest, shrubland, and grassland habitats in Southern Europe, Southwest Asia, and East Asia.

Behavior

Cinereous vultures fly slowly with deep, heavy flaps and are capable of reaching high altitudes.

Cinereous vultures are monogamous, like most other vulture species. Both males and females participate in nest building and raising young. They build a large nests in trees or on cliffs that are reused every year.

Diet

Like other vultures, this species feeds on carrion from medium to large mammals, including rabbits and sheep. They have also been recorded hunting for live prey, such as lambs or foxes.

Conservation

Cinereous vultures are threatened by poisoning, other human disturbances, food limitations, and more.

In efforts to protect livestock, humans may put out poisoned bait to eliminate predators such as wolves. However, vultures cannot distinguish the poisoned bait from regular carrion and may become unintended targets. Vultures are also extremely sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, like diclofenac, which can be used to treat mild arthritis in livestock. Exposure to even small amounts of diclofenac and other similar pharmaceuticals can poison vultures.

Fun Facts

• This bird may also be called the “monk vulture” due to its upright neck feathers that resemble the hood of a monk.
• Cinereous vultures have specialized hemoglobin (blood proteins that carry oxygen) that make them well-adapted to flying at high altitudes. In fact, one cinereous vulture was observed at an elevation of 22,870 feet on Mount Everest!

Virginia Zoo Animals

Male: John Denver (hatched: 5/5/2016)

Female: Eve (hatched: 6/7/2006)