Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) a huge bird and a great observation at Alicante birding

The griffon vulture – size 37,4 – 41,4 inches – wingspan 100 – 110 inches-  is a huge and majestic bird of prey with a wingspan of at least 100 inches and is therefore one of the larger flying birds of the world. The species is predominantly brown in colour, but the trailing edge of the wings is black giving a double-coloured impression when the bird is in flight. The griffon vulture lives on carrion, a large mammal that they find whilst soaring on the warm air currents/thermals. Often they soar in groups and they respond very fast to other vulture who dive down having found a carcass, eating simultaneously on a dead animal. The neck of this species is short feathered, which has the advantage of it not getting stuck inside a carcass when eating.

Alicante birding, griffon vultures a rare observation

Vultures are very important to the ecosystem because they eat dead animals and prevent the meat rotting stopping diseases being spread by bacteria. They can cover hundreds of kilometres per day using thermals to move around without having to spend much energy. In Europe, the griffon vultures occur in the southern part and its a species which is present all year round in Spain. The habitat of the griffon vulture is varied and found in a multitude of different landscapes.  It only needs enough of an open space and can be found at sea level up to 1.8 mile above sea level. These birds overnight in groups at a fixed location, breeding in colonies on cliffs where they make nests of branches. Females usually lay only one egg and the chick is dependant on its parents for a long time, only leaving the nest after about 20 weeks.

Alicante birding realy an exiting holiday!