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    Cinereous vulture

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    Largest soaring vulture in the sky with extremely broad wings that assists an important role in nature as “clean-up” team

    Francesco Veronesi

    Cinereous Vulture is one of the most impressive birds of prey, with a stately demeanor and vast wingspan that can reach up to 3 meters (almost 10 feet), making it one of the largest flying birds in the world. This bird is adorned with dark, monochrome plumage, lending it the name ‘cinereous,’ which means ashen-colored, reflecting its somber and solemn appearance.

    Inhabiting a range that stretches from southern Europe to Asia and parts of Africa, Cinereous Vultures are adapted to life in varied terrains. They favor forested hills and mountains but are also found in scrublands, arid and semi-arid steppes, and open grasslands. These environments provide the expansive open areas needed for their foraging activities and the secluded spots required for nesting.

    Cinereous Vultures exhibit remarkable adaptability in their nesting habits. Their nests are constructed with sticks and vegetation, often in tall trees that offer a vantage point and protection or on rocky outcrops in more arid regions. They tend to form loose colonies, a social structure that provides numerous advantages, including increased vigilance against predators and communal information sharing about food sources.

    Their diet is predominantly composed of carrion, and they play a critical ecological role as scavengers. They help in the natural process of decomposition by consuming dead animal matter, thus preventing the spread of diseases. These vultures have powerful beaks capable of tearing through tough skin and muscle, allowing them to access the nutritious parts of carcasses that many other scavengers cannot reach.

    The flight of the Cinereous Vulture is a display of sheer majesty and grace. They are known to stay aloft for hours, utilizing thermal currents to soar through the sky with minimal effort. When foraging, they can cover vast distances, and upon locating a carcass, their descent can attract other vultures from miles away.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Afghanistan
    2020
    Albania
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Algeria
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Armenia
    2020
    Austria
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Azerbaijan
    2020
    Bangladesh
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Belarus
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Bhutan
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Bosnia And Herz.
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Bulgaria
    2020
    Cambodia
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    China
    2020
    Croatia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Cyprus
    2020
    Czechia
    2020
    Egypt
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    France
    2020
    Reintroduced
    Georgia
    2020
    Germany
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Gibraltar
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Greece
    2020
    Hungary
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    India
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Iran
    2020
    Iraq
    2020
    Israel
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Italy
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Japan
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Jordan
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Kazakhstan
    2020
    Korea
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Kuwait
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Kyrgyzstan
    2020
    Latvia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Lebanon
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Malaysia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Moldova
    0
    Official estimate
    EX
    2020
    Extinct locally
    Mongolia
    2020
    Montenegro
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Morocco
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Myanmar
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Nepal
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Netherlands
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    North Korea
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    North Macedonia
    2020
    Breeding
    Oman
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Pakistan
    2020
    Poland
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Portugal
    2020
    Romania
    0
    Official estimate
    EX
    2020
    Extinct locally
    Russia
    2020
    Saudi Arabia
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Serbia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Slovakia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Slovenia
    2020
    Spain
    1,500 pairs
    Official estimate
    NT
    2020
    Sudan
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Switzerland
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Syria
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Taiwan
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Tajikistan
    2020
    Thailand
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Tunisia
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain
    Turkey
    2020
    Turkmenistan
    2020
    Ukraine
    2020
    Uzbekistan
    2020
    Vietnam
    2020
    Non-Breeding
    Yemen
    2020
    Seasonality Uncertain

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Near Threatened(IUCN)
    World Population 25,200 – 34,200

    Added by BioDB
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    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Aegypius monachus Other names:

    Black vulture
    Monk vulture
    Eurasian black vulture

    Physical traits

    Length: 98 – 120 cm (39 – 47 in) Weight: 14 kg (31 pounds) Weight Male: 6 – 12 kg (14 – 25 pounds) Weight Female: 8 – 14 kg (17 – 31 pounds) Lifespan: 20 – 39 years Wingspan: 2.5 – 3 m (8 ft 2 in – 10 ft 2 in) Incubation: 50 – 55 days Eggs: 1 egg
    Habitats: Forest Shrubland Savannah/Grassland
    Regions: Africa Asia Europe
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